HONDA LPGA THAILAND

February 19, 2025

Jeeno Thitikul

Ruoning Yin

Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course

Press Conference

(In progress.)

RUONING YIN: Everybody knows I got injured in the middle of the season and I wasn't able to play that many tournaments that I want to.

So I think I learned a lot last year honestly. Mostly it's like mental side, because after the injury I started to realize that I really love golf, I really love to play out there with my friends.

I would say last year I learned I can just focus on the process, not the result. Yeah. That's the big thing.

THE MODERATOR: Jeeno?

JEENO THITIKUL: And I say the same. But, yeah, I mean, for us it's kind of same. I'm starting with injury and then it's kind of really help with the mental kind of stuff because lots of time you be able to play lots of tournaments and you get bored, and then once you stop you want to do it again so bad.

So I think that's what make me kind of more relaxed, enjoy golf more than I did my rookie year, last two years. And, yeah, that's it.

And then the only thing that I want to carry on is that mental stuff.

Q. That was going to be my next question. It's our first time seeing both of you on the LPGA Tour in 2025. What are just some things you're looking forward to most this year?

JEENO THITIKUL: Food.

Q. Any specifics about food?

JEENO THITIKUL: Actually we looking for definitely a good travel (indiscernible), as always. Like we travel and playing week in and week out, but golf is, yeah, one of our life but still have lots of more things that we can enjoy surrounding us.

RUONING YIN: That would be my answer, too. But I would say I think I just try to have more fun this year, because golf is obviously part of our lives and like Jeeno says we have a lot more things outside than golf.

So I think I just try to enjoy my life and have more fun.

Q. Ronni. Since you have the mic I'll ask you one more question. Last year was your first time playing this event. What do you learn most from playing here last year?

RUONING YIN: I think the course is in really good condition this week. I think my game is more mature than last year, and so I think this course have a lot of birdie opportunities, especially the par-5s, and it's more reachable par-5s.

So I would say the par-5 is the key, and if you can score on par-5, that's automatically 4-under every day. So I would say I'm pretty excited to play this course again this week.

Q. Jeeno, this tournament probably obviously means a lot to you. Missed it last year. What's it like to be back? And also touch on what it was like to play here eight years ago as an amateur.

JEENO THITIKUL: You know, playing in our home soil is always nice. You know, my family is here. All the fans here like cheering for us. Always nice to be back here. I'm so sad I miss it last year, and to be here this year and hopefully everybody is waiting for us to make a show out there.

But, yeah, hopefully everyone just enjoy it, watching us out there.

Q. Jeeno, talked about last year. How difficult was it for you to watch from the sidelines last year? I know you were here when Patty won. Does that make you more motivated for this year? Finished second here, third here. This is one of the tournaments you haven't won. Talk about how motivated you are to win on home soil.

JEENO THITIKUL: It's just different side. I watch it like from spectators. Definitely want to win it. Want to show and give all my 100% and then all that I have out there.

But to be honest I can't control the result of what I'm going to do out there. It's just focus on what I can control. I mean, yeah, everyone play and we want to win it, but like at the same point we just try our best.

If it's not turn out to be good, we accept it and we just move on. Hopefully it's turn out to be good.

Q. Last year Patty won in Saudi and came here and won here. Is that a good omen for you after last week?

JEENO THITIKUL: Definitely gives more confidence because like I said, everyone -- if everyone watching my interview last week, I say I don't think my ball striking is that good. That's why I want to work on still, which is what I focus on this week, too. I don't know what's going to happen, but I know that I'll do my best.

Q. Jeeno, Carly mentioned you played here as a 14 year old amateur. Can you remember what that was like, and what advice would you give for Pimpisa Rubring who's playing this year as an amateur?

JEENO THITIKUL: Definitely shaking, handshaking for sure. I think would be my first LPGA event as an amateur. I think so. I'm not too sure about that. Yeah, definitely shaking. Lots of nerves.

But it's really good and fun experience that I can be able to play here. You know, like play against the best player in the world is always a pressure and see how they play and then one day, you know, like it's like a dream come true that you will be able to be here and then perform as a professional.

Q. And advice for Pimpisa?

JEENO THITIKUL: I think she will do better than what I did when I was 14, so, so no advice. Just have fun.

Q. For both of you, tomorrow you are grouped in the same pairing. How is it to kick off as best friends together at this tournament in year?

RUONING YIN: I think it's pretty cool. I hope she feels the same way. I mean, we play a lot last year, too, so it's going to be fun. I hope we have a lot of fun as we always do, tomorrow.

JEENO THITIKUL: Definitely going to be a good like day of golf as well. As rookie we never play together. Did we? No. So we just played together in 2023, CME, and then last year was a lot.

Also this week, I mean, like being best friends it's always good to have someone who knows you well and, you know, like you can talk a lot out there which I think it makes it more fun for the fans.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you everyone.