TOTO JAPAN CLASSIC

November 1, 2024

Yealimi Noh

Taihelyo Club Minori Course

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Yealimi Noh after her second round. Awesome second round. Walk us through your round today and how it went.

YEALIMI NOH: Yeah, it was a great day. I putted really well. I think it was probably my best putting stat of the year. Didn't hit that many greens, but I was close, like around the fringe and stuff.

So made a lot of putts, got a few lucky breaks, and kept it together on the back nine, too. Had a chip-in, which was nice.

Q. After playing two rounds here and some practice, what really stands out about this golf course to you compared to some of the others we play?

YEALIMI NOH: The greens are very slopey here. A lot more undulation than we're used to in the States. Mainly just it being all back to front. Can be quick. But it's a little soft this year so a little less.

Yeah, just the grass is a little different. The ball sits up nice. It's a bit soft right now like I said. Yeah, it's nice.

Q. After playing in Asia toward the end of the season. How are you conserving your energy? How nice is it to see a good round like this at the end?

YEALIMI NOH: Yeah, it's really nice. I was like, man, being I'm barely getting through the weeks and the travel. It's been weighing on me. Eating a lot of good food. It's so nice to be here and eating great food every day. And then just leaving after I finish. I'm like I'm out of here, back to the hotel and rest.

Q. Talk about the fans here. There is a ton of fans out here. They stayed in the rain. What does it mean to see fans like this here?

YEALIMI NOH: Yeah, it means so much. I love coming to Japan. Half of it is for the fans. They're amazing and so respectful and loud when they need to be. Very awesome to see the love of golf here.

Q. We don't see too many players with a broomstick. Why do you think it works so well for you? Why was it you made the change?

YEALIMI NOH: For me last year I was really struggling with my putting and I needed something new, something different, and I had never thought of trying it.

My coach and dad suggested it to me and I tried it, and it helped me get over that uneasy feeling over the ball.

So that's how it started. Now using it a year after my stroke has gotten really solid. Speed is great with the putter so it's helped me a lot.

Q. So you made eight birdies and one bogey today. How was your round today?

YEALIMI NOH: It was good. It was a bit lucky. I had some lucky shots. Overall my putting was really solid today. Didn't hit this many greens but made a lot of putts. It was nice.

Q. It is first time since 2022 to play this tournament?

YEALIMI NOH: Yes.

Q. How is your impression about the setup?

YEALIMI NOH: I love coming back to Japan. It's always such an amazing time. The fans are unbelievable and the course is always in really good condition. It's a lot wider this year. When I was here two years ago it was very sunny and warm.

So far it's been nice. Just a little softer.

Q. You using long range putter. How long you've been using it?

YEALIMI NOH: It's been a year and a few months. I switched to the broomstick late summer last year.

Q. How is the feeling for putting with this green?

YEALIMI NOH: Today was good. Today was good. Yeah, I have been -- oh, yeah, the greens here in Japan are definitely a lot slopier. We're not used to so much slope.

It's been good so far. My caddie has been helping me with reading the lines and speed has been good.

Q. Is this your second time to come do Japan?

YEALIMI NOH: Third time. JLPGA event in 2019.

Q. 2019? So is that...

YEALIMI NOH: (Indiscernible).

Q. So you have favorite Japanese food?

YEALIMI NOH: I love Japanese food, so my favorite is probably nagi. I've always liked it. Mochi, yeah.

Q. Did you have a chance to have those?

YEALIMI NOH: Not yet, but I bought a lot of mochi coming here and I'm going to buy more. I'm hoping to go to Kyoto one day soon.

Q. You already had mochi this time?

YEALIMI NOH: Yeah.

Q. A lot.

YEALIMI NOH: And matcha cookies, yeah.

Q. What's your aim for next two days?

YEALIMI NOH: Hopefully hit more greens and keep making putts. Hopefully it stays dry. Not sure how it's going to be on the weekend. Just hope I play well.

Q. What kind of mochi?

YEALIMI NOH: Chocolate. It's called something. I forget what it's called.

Q. Ice cream?

YEALIMI NOH: Mochi, the long one with the inside chocolate or matcha. I forget what it's called. It said on the box. What is Kyoto famous for?

Q. So you said chocolate or...

YEALIMI NOH: Matcha.

Q. So you have already had many this time?

YEALIMI NOH: Yeah. I'm going to eat more though.