LIV GOLF PROMOTIONS

December 14, 2024

Lee Chieh-po

Riyadh Golf Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations on becoming the 2024 LIV Golf Promotions champion and the newest member of the LIV Golf league - sounds pretty good - after finishing 10-under par and a two-shot victory here in Riyadh.

LEE CHIEH-PO: Thank you.

Q. Can you share some of your thoughts on your great play today?

LEE CHIEH-PO: It's been a long time that I've played 36 holes in one day. I talked a lot with my caddie today. We were just staying focused on every shot, and we're doing very well.

Q. Today's format was quite demanding with 36 holes on the final day, 20 great players competing for one spot on LIV Golf. Did you feel the pressure today, especially towards the end, and how did you manage your emotions on the back nine there?

LEE CHIEH-PO: I was trying to enjoy today, but until the hole No. 7, that birdie putt, I know that one is very important. At that moment I was pretty nervous. But we're doing good.

Q. What does it mean to you to be the first player from Chinese Taipei to join the LIV Golf league?

LEE CHIEH-PO: Yeah, it means a lot. It means a lot for our players because LIV Golf, I think it's many players' dream. I go there, and they will come.

Q. You've also had a really successful season on the Asian Tour and the International Series, including a win at International Series Thailand, which got you into LIV Golf Promotions this week. How has your success this season prepared you for this week?

LEE CHIEH-PO: The end of last year I got an injury, and after that I tried to change a little bit my swing and get physically better and get stronger a little bit. Just do the same thing. We worked very hard with my coach. It's a very awesome year for me.

Q. You've played much of your career in Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and now South Korea where LIV Golf will be hosted next year. Do you think that gives you an advantage for next year's Asian swing on LIV Golf?

LEE CHIEH-PO: For me, I think the next year is very -- it's just a new year for me because different course, style, different player. Yeah, different feeling.

Q. Obviously the U.S. is huge for LIV Golf; what will it mean to you to compete in the United States for the first time in your career when LIV Golf heads there?

LEE CHIEH-PO: It's a very honor to play with many great players. I will keep working hard and try to -- yeah.

Q. LIV Golf kicks off the 2025 season right here in Riyadh in February. How does this week's win boost your confidence heading into that event?

LEE CHIEH-PO: Actually I didn't play very good here last event, the PIF one. But I know my game is pretty solid, and I think today we do many good things because we're reading lines good. We have a lot of talk. We have a lot of course management.

Q. Were you dealing with any back issues this week?

LEE CHIEH-PO: Yeah, a little bit tight. After the first 18 holes, yeah, I was talked to by caddie, trying to help me relax a little bit. It's getting better. The back nine it's feeling very good.

Q. Can you talk about what was going through your mind after you bogeyed 16 and it closed the gap there as you were walking towards 17 tee?

LEE CHIEH-PO: Yeah, that one is pretty funny because the second shot is very close to the green, and it's straight downwind. My caddie talked to me there, that shot is pretty easy for me. I hit it way poor to the left and I was laughing, like what am I doing. But after that, just tried to reset my mind, and hole No. 17, that tee shot is very important. I hit a very good tee shot.

Q. Are you disappointed it didn't go in?

LEE CHIEH-PO: No, no. It's good enough. It's good enough.

Q. Obviously coming to 18, you still had to perform there. Can you talk about the tee shot and then certainly the approach?

LEE CHIEH-PO: I know on the 18th tee box I had a two-shot lead, so I just keep my ball safely. That's why I used a hybrid. I also hit a pretty good second shot. But the last putt I was amazed.

But last week I missed a lot on the low side. That's why I am more right today. But still not go in, so...

Q. Can you talk about coming into this week? As you said, you were disappointed in how you played last week. Did you feel like you can make up for it this week and certainly get the big prize?

LEE CHIEH-PO: After last week, I don't think I can win this week because I know this week have many great players. But playing 36 holes in one day for everyone is very tough now because we play like four or five events in a row, and today the last 18 holes was pretty windy. I think it's very tough for every player.

We just stayed focused on every shot.

Q. How did you adjust your swing? You said you made some adjustments after last season. What exactly were those?

LEE CHIEH-PO: The last season I got my left hip injury, and after that I was change a little bit my movement. Now it's getting better, and the swing is easier.

Q. You turned pro in 2015?

LEE CHIEH-PO: Yeah.

Q. And your first win was just recently. Can you talk about what it's meant these last few months to you, your career, your confidence?

LEE CHIEH-PO: Every year I think I just tried to improve myself a little bit, no matter if it's physically, skill or mental.

Before my first win, I think I got many second, third, so I just keep myself still in the zone.

Q. Obviously you have won in a field in Thailand with Peter Uihlein. You've competed in fields with Joaquín Niemann, Charl Schwartzel, Patrick Reed, players like that. How important has that been to the development of your game, and how important is that ahead of next season when you'll be playing against them in every tournament?

LEE CHIEH-PO: I played with Peter, I think, three times. I played with him in Qatar where he win the Qatar event. I think on the LIV Tour, every player I think is very strong. I think I can learn something. I will learn something.

Q. You think next season now you're confident because you have competed with them? Hopefully that will give you a bit of confidence to go into next season.

LEE CHIEH-PO: Yeah, for sure next year I will get a little bit stronger, and yeah, let's see.

Q. Sum up your feeling; we talk about the pathway to LIV via the International Series, but you've just managed to make that step from the International Series on to LIV Golf Promotions and on to LIV Golf next season. Give me your thoughts and your emotions.

LEE CHIEH-PO: Yeah, I would like to thank the Asian Tour, International Series. Yeah, give me the chance to come play with all the players, and now I'm going to LIV. Yeah, thanks.

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations, Max, and see you next year.