NW ARKANSAS CHAMPIONSHIP

September 29, 2024

Jasmine Suwannapura

Pinnacle Country Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, welcome back inside the media center here at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G.

I am pleased to be joined by this year's winner, Jasmine Suwannapura. You were just saying that you might have to reflect a little bit more. It's kind of all been all of a sudden for you.

Just at the start of this day, what was your game plan and your mindset going in knowing that low numbers are out there at this course?

JASMINE SUWANNAPURA: Attack the pin. Try to make the putts. And it's fun to see those putts drop, but, man, I couldn't even count what's going on or how many under I'm going.

All I know is I have to do my best and make most birdie as I can.

Q. When did you feel the momentum kick up for you?

JASMINE SUWANNAPURA: Fast first two birdies and then I cool down a little bit; come back at 3-under par, which it was okay.

And then starting on the back nine, just keep going. I'm like, all right, let's have a chance, let's have a look on ever single hole if I can. Let's make it happen.

Q. You talked about being a group behind Lucy Li as well and not knowing what she did but heard the cheers after her eagle on 18. When you got up to 18 what was going through your head?

JASMINE SUWANNAPURA: Yeah, the crowd was pretty loud and it was probably 30-foot putt. I figured it was her eagle putt. All I think was I just have work to do. I have to do my own work. I have to finish it. I have to, you know, make the best out of it.

The second shot wasn't the easiest shot on my 18. I hit it to the right side. I got a free drop from the stand, like a little sign, and I actually slipped on that shot and it just went straight for the pin.

I'm like, okay. So Fassi was like, let's go. It was right at the pin. It's straight at it. It was so good. She was just like, I think it was next to the pin. The TV guy say it's about three foot.

I'm like, awesome. Well, we walk up there and Fassi say, might as well do it, man. Just finish it.

I did my best out there and made the putt.

Q. And then take me through the playoff. What was going through your mind through the first hole and the emotions you felt when you walked up to that putt on the second playoff hole?

JASMINE SUWANNAPURA: Like I said, this week I think my mindset was pretty solid. My mental was really good on this week. Literally it was hole by hole, shot by shot, and it's actually filter out a lot of good and bad things out of my mind.

I'm very focused to have that eagle putt with that situation. I said, you know, you better finish it here or it's going to be a while and I might not have another chance to putt for the win again.

So, yeah. Just do it and I made it.

Q. How long was that last eagle putt?

JASMINE SUWANNAPURA: I would say about 15 foot. It was not that close; it was downhill right to left. I thought in my mind, make sure I get it there. It's eagle putt. You don't want to leave it short.

Q. To do it with your husband on the bag, your first win since I believe being married.

JASMINE SUWANNAPURA: Yep.

Q. For you, what does that mean to you to have him relish in this moment as well with you?

JASMINE SUWANNAPURA: It's like Yin and Yang. Mike was very excited. He's very into the game and I'm more on the calm side, so to see him get excited like, oh, you're a little bit loud.

So to see that, he had fun on the golf course and this is like his second week on the tour this year. He said on 18 hole after we finished, he's like I can't believe you made it. I can't believe we win the tournament.

It was just very special for him. I'm sure you probably never forget today. There you go.

MIKE THOMAS: Oh, yeah.

Q. Talk to me about the playoffs is all about adversity. In your life you faced a lot of adversity with your injuries and stuff like that. Talk to me about a playoff wasn't going to bother you. You've overcome a lot in your life.

JASMINE SUWANNAPURA: Oh, yeah I've been through a lot. I broke my back in 2016. Literally my spine was moving. I was supposed to be in the wheelchair. I just had a surgery, and come back and walk was a great thing and almost like a miracle for me to come back and play golf.

It took a year, a full year to literally change my swing, adapt to it. Like in 2017 my stat on hitting ball was left and right. I mean, only way that I survived '17 was my short game.

So I've been through a lot. Growing up, playing for National Team, playoff doesn't bother me at all. I'm not scared of the playoff. I know I can do it. I'm not scared of anyone.

So, yeah, so I mean, I've been through a lot and I didn't think it going to happen today. Like I say I was so far behind because of yesterday's score. To be able to do it today was -- I have to watch myself, see how I do it.

Q. Talk to me about Northwest Arkansas. Have you been in this tournament before? Tell me about your experience this week. Seems like the LPGA Tour really likes the charm of Northwest Arkansas. This is going to be a special place with your husband. This might be a destination for ya'll for a honeymoon or something down the road.

JASMINE SUWANNAPURA: Yeah, I came here since 2013. I think I play every single year except 2016 because I broke my back.

It's growing so much. Walmart do a lot. P&G do so much. The whole community, golf course, the people who welcome us as player and caddies, that let us stay in the house, take care of us.

I mean, I think it's a big deal that everyone, player and caddie, actually feel welcome to be here. Like I said, I met my housing from seven years ago in 2017. I had dinner with them to see his child from little boy that I play soccer with in the backyard, now they went to college in Arizona and all this stuff.

You know, I mean, time flies.

But, again, like I'm very thankful for the whole community that welcome LPGA and all the player and caddie and everyone here. So fun. It's been amazing this week.

Q. So after your opening 63 and then 72, and you talked about yesterday. Going into today, what was the expectation going into today? And then, when the birdies started flowing, did those expectations change, especially as you two were kind of talking and going down the fairways?

JASMINE SUWANNAPURA: I don't think we have expectation today at all. Literally just try to climb the leaderboard. When I had a chance, I try to climb it. I tried to make birdie; literally just never look back.

I know I had to shoot the low number, and then Lucy Li was in front of me and I was kind of looking at her score and I said, okay, I guess I have to keep going. I have to keep fighting and have a look at birdie chance on every single hole if I can.

Like I said, on 18, see that she had amazing 30-foot putt for eagle and she made. I'm like, okay, I have work to do. I have to try to make eagle or birdie if that's possible.

I have a chance and I did.

Q. Last one from me: You were talking about the community and your host family. Talk about the crowds that were out there today and yesterday cheering all of you on no matter which player it was. Seemed like on 17 and 18 they were just cheering you guys on. Talk about that a little bit.

JASMINE SUWANNAPURA: Oh, yeah, I did have a good pro-am this week. I play with Tito's guys, so I've been having a drink with them all day an Thursday. I probably have four, five drinks.

They have fun. We have fun. You know, like I said, it's just out here this week, I just -- you know, we keep having a good communication and we could have build up relationship here with all the people surrounding and all the fans.

It's fun to see those guys yelling Tito's, Tito's, so we just have more people following and all the fans and Fassi and the locals come out, fan favorite. So a lot of people with the kids, and I'm grateful that they come out and support all of us, yes, for sure.

Q. We talked a little bit at the beginning of the week on Friday about how much CME and even next year's Asia Swing as of goal for you. With this win you're projected at least inside the top 20 for the Race to the CME Globe. What does that mean to you to know that that is something that can be achievable at the end of the year and as you look ahead to seeing your parents again in Thailand?

JASMINE SUWANNAPURA: That actually give my goosebumps. Like I said, my dad turn 72 couple days ago, September 22nd. Then my mom turn 64 on 26th of September. So their birthdays is couple days ago. They are getting old and I feel like I really want to see them follow me in Thailand.

I really want to be in CME and the last tournament of the year. And lastly, this is the last week to tell Janet, you know, to say if I can be her bridesmaid or not.

So Janet, I am. (Laughing.)

Q. One more. I know you had a bet going also with Piano. Would you like to explain a little bit now that you've won, your side of the bet you had.

JASMINE SUWANNAPURA: Oh, yeah. So it happened in Boston. Her mom, and Piano was right there, and she is like oh, it's okay. Just a bad round. And she's like, you know what? You're a great player. You're going to win this year. I can feel it. She just pray for me.

I said, you know what? If I win this year, doesn't matter which tournament, I will buy you food, feed you the whole week.

Like her mom. And she's like, okay, deal. And then Piano walks in and say, me too. Okay, you too. (Laughing.)

Q. I love that. Piano, you're getting some food coming up. Thank you and congratulations on your third LPGA victory.

JASMINE SUWANNAPURA: Yep. Thank you. Thank you everyone.