FOUNDERS CUP PRESENTED BY U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

February 9, 2025

Jin Young Ko

Bradenton Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here now with Jin Young Ko after her final round here at the Founders Cup presented by U.S. Virgin Islands. Top 5 finish for you. Just take us through the week, especially this last round.

JIN YOUNG KO: Yeah, I mean, overall I had so great week last couple weeks, and, yeah, it's going to be big year for me I guess.

Yeah, I just think it just paid off, so I practice a lot last couple months and working out every day, and my like distance are getting farther than last two years. I'm very, very happy to be on the course and overall.

Yeah, I mean, I was pain for like I had bogey today. I mean, I don't care about winning. I just want to continue bogey-free round until maybe Thailand or Singapore. I did my best I think and I had great week. So much fans out there and Koreans out there so they are supporting me.

Was great course, like sneaky from the tee. Greens are a little like narrow and small, so was hard to play. Overall, I'm just happiest person in the world.

Q. How much confidence has these last two weeks given you on an outlook of your 2025 season knowing you've got two Top 5 finishes back to back?

JIN YOUNG KO: Huge I think. I think finish inside Top 5 is like it's been over one or two years I think. Last year I think I had struggle. That's why I play better this year.

So many peoples are supporting me this week, my parents, my family, even my dog, my manager. Yeah, I feel very loved from there, and I will keep this until CME and we'll see what happens going.

Q. When did you become aware that you had another crazy long streak going?

JIN YOUNG KO: Streak?

Q. Bogey-free.

JIN YOUNG KO: How long?

Q. Yeah. At what point did you think to yourself, oh, wow, I haven't had a bogey in a long time? When did you start thinking about it?

JIN YOUNG KO: Yesterday.

Q. Did someone tell you or did you know it?

JIN YOUNG KO: I just saw Instagram. All the people are like Jin Young Ko is like bogey-free round since maybe Saturday last week and yesterday.

Ah, okay. And then No. 9 I had long par putt and after I made it, okay, continue, keep going. Just no bogey until the 18th hole. But I had three bogeys on back nine, but still okay.

Q. What is the key to getting on these long streaks?

JIN YOUNG KO: Well, I think I have strong mental. I just want to be better than yesterday. I'm very trying to be like happy feel, like I just want to have that on the course.

That's it I think.

Q. When you look back, I know last year was tough for you with injury and all that stuff, how gratifying is it just to be back to your maybe your old self now and happy?

JIN YOUNG KO: Yeah, I mean, I'm trying to think 10 years later and then look back 2025 season, and I think I will realize, oh, there was nothing. Just all the people say this is major or important tournament to you, but I'm just trying to think 10 or 20 years later and then looking back, it's just nothing. Just one day.

I just want to live better compared to good play, so that's makes me more happy for this season. And, yeah, I try -- I did like a lot of -- I did meditate every day, every morning, every night, so it makes me more better person, and calm person.

Yeah, that's it I think.

Q. How do you build on these last two weeks as you look ahead to playing in Asia?

JIN YOUNG KO: Well, yeah, I'm very excited to go back to Asia, but, yeah, I mean, today was last day of playing Florida I guess. Maybe CME.

But like early of the year it's last day so I'm very happy to last day of like Florida. I will leave tomorrow, so.

Q. Bye.

JIN YOUNG KO: Bye.

Q. What are your thoughts on Yealimi? I think yesterday was the first time you played together.

JIN YOUNG KO: Yeah, she hit very, very good shot, so many. Even today she hit the flag, was unlucky, but we all can see she hits so good.

In the pressure she hit the flag and she made a lot of birdies. That's why she won this week.

Q. Have you ever used a long putter before, just for fun?

JIN YOUNG KO: I did, one time.

Q. When?

JIN YOUNG KO: Tuesday.

Q. (Laughter.) Oh. Really?

JIN YOUNG KO: Yeah.

Q. What prompted that?

JIN YOUNG KO: It was L.A.B. putter she used. I tried her putter.

Q. Oh, a L.A.B. putter. You tried her putter on Tuesday?

JIN YOUNG KO: Not her putter but same design. So I ordered. Long putter.

Q. You ordered one? Oh, this week you did after you tried it?

JIN YOUNG KO: I did.

Q. What inspired you to try it?

JIN YOUNG KO: I mean, just my father said I think the putter looks good, so I tried. I made a lot of putt, so I order.

Q. So we might see you with one in Thailand?

JIN YOUNG KO: No, that's too close. I need to take time.

Q. Interesting. Thank you.

JIN YOUNG KO: Thank you.