NW ARKANSAS CHAMPIONSHIP

September 26, 2024

Haeran Ryu

Pinnacle Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, we're here at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. Pleased to be joined by defending champion, Haeran Ryu. Let's just talk about last year. Bring us back to those memories of when you clinched your first LPGA Tour victory. What do you remember most from that day?

HAERAN RYU: I remember every hole at this golf course, and I don't forget my putts and winning putt. It was so awkward. (Laughter.) Maybe now is more good now because English so hard for me.

But, yeah, I'm so happy to be coming back to here. Here is so amazing golf course. Many pictures here, so surprised. Yeah, I'm so happy to come back here, yeah.

Q. And be back here, first time defending on the LPGA Tour, what's it been like to come back here and see your face everywhere around this tournament?

HAERAN RYU: Yeah, yesterday So Yeon Ryu text me how was I feeling come back to the golf course. I said amazing. Because every tournaments the pictures of defending champion is around the golf course. This year it's my picture. (Laughter.)

Yeah, so happy to be here. Too many good food here and clear city. Yeah, that's good.

Q. What do you enjoy most about this tournament and specifically the golf course? What do you think about the golf course really suited your game?

HAERAN RYU: Maybe last year the course is so firm and the weather is more hotter than this year. But I arrive before here once email sent me is that this course is a little bit -- last year the weather is really cold and too many snow here and the grass is a little die.

But I come to here and say, nope, almost same as last year. Yeah, really good.

Q. And then also this win last year propelled you to win Rolex Rookie of the Year last year.

HAERAN RYU: Yeah.

Q. How proud were you to achieve that last year?

HAERAN RYU: Last years maybe I'm last winners the rookies, right? Five -- fifth time to Rookie of the Year, right? Rookies player win fifth time is me, and I'm so happy, and very happy, yeah.

Q. So tell us what you think about Northwest Arkansas. Is it a place you might like to come and live someday?

HAERAN RYU: Yeah, it's really clear city and a lot of good food restaurants here. Last night I ate (indiscernible.) The restaurant is really good.

I remembered last year I did taco at the Mexican grill here and I loved it. Yeah, I like the clear and quiet city anywhere. This year I buy the house in Vegas, but, yeah I like it here.

Maybe -- I don't know the future, but maybe I'm living here. It's really good there. (Laughter.)

Q. You have been on a string of great play that we've seen, including another win in Boston.

HAERAN RYU: Yeah.

Q. What have you felt is the best part of your game right now when you look at the last couple events you played?

HAERAN RYU: Not sure because my mindset always same thing. But these days maybe my putt is much better than last year. Everybody said to me I miss the short putts. I know that. But always work hard for the practice for putting, and that is good. Yeah, good for me and this year I make some a lot of good play.

Q. You had an incredible rookie season.

HAERAN RYU: Uh-huh.

Q. Even this last stretch dating back, if you're looking at your results all the way back to the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, do you think this is some of the best golf you played in your career?

HAERAN RYU: Yes. Before the KPMG my play so bad because I was so stressful my golf. I want to make some good score and then I want it better play than last year.

But this is so stress for me. I just changed my mindset. It's just golf and I have a lot of chance and I just change it. My play is much better than before, yeah.

Q. I was going to say, do you feel like a different player than last year when you came to this tournament for the first time? Do you feel like a different player, different person a year removed?

HAERAN RYU: No, I'm just same person. (Laughter.)

Q. Touche. I was going to ask you, talking about that mindset that you're talking about, I've also heard similar things from Jin Young saying the same thing. Do you think you learned that from other players or something with growth that you found?

HAERAN RYU: This year I'm played with many great players, and this year at the Chevron Championship on the last day with Nelly Korda. I was really awkward there, awkward and nervous.

But on the first few holes my play is really bad there, but looks like Nelly -- I don't know her mindset, but she is very calm and so she a lot of confidence for her golf.

I think Nelly is really calm and I want to learn from that after the Chevron Championship and more consistent my golf.