CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

November 20, 2024

Amy Yang

Tiburon Golf Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, very pleased to be joined by our defending champion here at the CME Group Tour Championship, Amy Yang. Amy, welcome back to Naples. What do you remember most about your win last season?

AMY YANG: You know, so happy to be back here. This is where I realized, again, about if I keep putting my best in my process and keep working that I can still win out here.

So, so great to be back.

Q. Yeah. And to say that and follow it up this year with a major championship at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, talk about that stretch from winning CME last year to KPMG. How much has that maybe reinvigorated or gave you more confidence heading into the rest of the year?

AMY YANG: Yeah, I actually felt sad that the season was ending after CME last year because game felt really good. Definitely gave me a lot of confidence about working harder.

But this season I had some ups and downs, but still I give myself a good trust that I can still do it, yeah.

Q. As you look back on your 2024 season, is there any specific moments that are highlights to you or really stand out?

AMY YANG: This season?

Q. Uh-huh.

AMY YANG: I want to say KPMG, yeah. That week just everything worked so well. Prior to that I missed three cuts in a row, but I was still taking every tournament as an opportunity to improve my game and just never give up, yeah.

Q. I think one of the coolest moments in both of those wins was having all of your friends and Jan's friends out to spray you with champagne. What has that support meant to you over the last year and a half when you've had these two really major titles?

AMY YANG: That's amazing. They're my closest friends and Tour family. Their support is amazing, and I also support them same as they do. I wish one day I can spray champagne on them as well.

Q. For you, you spoke a little bit last year here about dealing with some injury; didn't know if golf would be in your future for much longer. Obviously it was. Obviously that win at KPMG was super motivating. What continues to motivate you as you progress in your career?

AMY YANG: The more I play the more I realize just little steps that I do every day, the process on the way to the goal, I think that's the important part of the game, yeah.

Q. And then as you start to wrap up your season here, what are some of those little things and goals you're setting this year trying to defend your title here at the CME Group Tour Championship?

AMY YANG: Yeah, thinking about defending gives me a little bit of pressure, but I can't control that, so just going to continue what I've been doing. I've been putting a lot of the work with my coach, caddie Jan, so just going to do what I've been doing all year, yeah.

Q. Amy, when you reflect back on the PGA, what was it about that tournament that got you over the hump at a major?

AMY YANG: I did have a lot of ups and downs until then, but just didn't feel like my game was that bad to miss a lot of cuts.

That week everything just turned around. My ball striking was so much better. I don't know, because if because the golf course was so tight and tough it kind of made me focus more than other golf courses.

Just I feel like winning, it's just universe is giving to you, I think. Yeah, just everything worked so well that week.

Q. Have you allowed yourself to think what a $4 million win would mean to you this week?

AMY YANG: Oh, yeah, that's the biggest purse we ever had, so, I mean, I'm just going to -- I don't know. I'm just focusing on my process again.

I can't just think of what the end result is. Just each day I'm just going to do my best and enjoy it out there.

Q. Amy, I know you've been out here for a number of years now. I know we've seen a lot of sponsors step up. To play for something like a $4 million purse, what does that tell you about how women's golf has grown over the past few years?

AMY YANG: Oh, yeah, a lot. By far. It's just so great to see women's golf is growing a lot and a lot of people are watching more and a lot of kids want to be on LPGA.

I just am so happy for it and I'm just hoping it continues to get bigger each year, yeah.

Q. And for you, obviously somebody like CME Group putting up a $4 million first place prize, as a player what does that say about how you're being valued? Everybody will take home at least $55,000. What does that tell you about how the players are really being valued?

AMY YANG: I mean, everyone out here, we dedicate our life to this game and we love this game. Just so thankful for CME to step up and make women's golf bigger. I hope also other tournaments could keep growing down the road.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you so much, Amy.

AMY YANG: Thank you.