AIG WOMEN'S OPEN

August 24, 2024

Jiyai Shin

Mixed Zone

Q. Great round.

JIYAI SHIN: Thank you, now I can relax.

Q. What was the biggest challenge out there today?

JIYAI SHIN: Well, after, yesterday, after I made the cut, okay, maybe I move to the fourth. So you can see a lot of wind out there. So I try to be more friendly with the wind, and they are nice to me today. So my good score, yeah.

Q. What did you hit on 17?

JIYAI SHIN: They have 2000 -- sorry, 205 yards to the pin. I hit 20-degree hybrid, and then, well, last couple days, I made a bogey, that hole. So I try to -- the first, I want to make the green from the fairway. And then so that's why I went like 25, 30 yards short of the pin.

Well, just I couldn't see where ball finish because my height. I couldn't see it. I can hear a lot of clap but I couldn't see where they finished, and then my thought was, okay, just make the green, and then when I come up to 17, like to the hole, like wow, so close.

But the pin position was not easy to even 1-metre putt as well. Actually, more -- I get more pressure with that short putting. It was great. Great. Definitely, that is one of the best shots of the day today for me.

Q. What is it about links golf that really suits you?

JIYAI SHIN: Well, I try to, well, I played a long time, the golf. So this is my third. I've been here already third time. This is my third time at St Andrews. That's how much I played it, for so long. I have a lot of experience with links course and with not like this tough wind but pretty much I have a lot of good experience.

So that's why I take all my skill today. Yeah, the wind -- really, the wind is nice to me today, and also, I made a bogey -- two bogeys today but I think everyone can make one or two bogeys. So this is nothing. I just keep focused forward.

Q. Can you talk about your decision, back in 2014, to give up your LPGA card and what you've been up to since?

JIYAI SHIN: Well, yeah, my rookie year was 2009, and then I have -- like I have many goals for the ten years' goal, I have a plan. But after three, four years, I finish everything. So I couldn't find any next step.

That's why I just -- I want to play good, but it doesn't like -- like I couldn't get any motivate by myself. That's why, okay, I need to change. I need a change. So that's why I moved to, close to the family so that's why I moved to Japan and this is my 11th year in Japan tours.

Yeah, I worry about lost the fans, but I met new fans. More new fans. I had a great decision.

JIYAI SHIN: Now I consider a lot of younger players, and when I was rookie, I have so much older players, I have so much good role models. So that's why they -- sometimes they take care about me and they showing where we going. I couldn't see many, like, good role model. Well, of course we can see out there. But not a full time. I mean, I want to be a good role model for the young players.

Q. You've played a little bit more on the LPGA this year. Was that to try to make the Olympics?

JIYAI SHIN: Yes, it was.

Q. Almost?

JIYAI SHIN: Well, it was good try. It was good try. But so actually first, beginning of this year, like three -- two months, every single week, I play different country. That much I traveling so much. Like more than when I was 20. So it makes a little bit tired in May and July, June.

So I couldn't make that. But it was great. Good challenge for by myself. I got a lot of good motivate by myself. I'm really working hard and practising hard. I couldn't make it but I played good this week.

Q. What would a win mean? Like if you were to win tomorrow, what would that mean?

JIYAI SHIN: I can't tell you after. This is a little bit earlier.

Q. During the last ten years, has there ever been a period where you lost your game or has -- has your game kind of stayed with you all this time?

JIYAI SHIN: I keep working hard. Actually, then I have a lot of experience about how much conditioning by myself. So I know myself very well now, even different condition, I can more handle by myself. That's why I'm here. Then when I tell to other younger player about -- control by self. I'm still learning by myself.

Q. There's a lot of young players on the leaderboard. How many of them do you think have no idea you've won 64 times worldwide in your career?

JIYAI SHIN: I don't know. Maybe does she know? Does she know? Because I play -- I play with a lot of golfers this year even because I play on LPGA. We talk a lot and we chat a lot. So I think everyone's know.

Q. Do you ever look into the future and kind of -- do you have a goal of when maybe you would like to retire or are you just --

JIYAI SHIN: Not really. Because I'm focused, today. Now I can go to back to the hotel to relax to prepare for tomorrow.

Well, now I'm player. So I'm playing, only focusing on when I'm playing.