WOMEN'S AMATEUR ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP

March 8, 2025

Yujie Lui

Quick Quotes

Q. Yujie, what a round today; ten birdies. Can you talk us through that? How do you feel out there today?

YUJIE LIU: I feel like it's just really slow today, and then for the strategy today I'm just trying to be aggressive. And then my irons and putting and everything was fantastic, so I also made a lot of opportunities for myself.

And I also like made a lot of putts today, so that's why I shot like really good score.

Q. First played in this tournament when you were 12; is that correct?

YUJIE LIU: Yeah.

Q. You've learned some valuable lessons over the last two years. How has that experience helped you this week?

YUJIE LIU: I mean, for the first time I was here I was in Singapore when I was 12, and then I think I'm more mature right now. And then I'm having more experience than before for sure.

And then I'm just feeling more comfortable in this event, and then I know like what's going to happen, and then I just feel like more relaxed and just having fun.

Q. This afternoon, will you watch the rest of the golf this afternoon and see where you finish at the end of the day, or will it just be focusing on your own preparation?

YUJIE LIU: I was mostly focusing on my own, but I did look at the leaderboard. I just feel so proud of myself and so proud of the whole China team.

Q. Your father has a pretty impressive sporting background as well. Did you try to play ping pong at an elite level, too?

YUJIE LIU: Actually I did thought about playing ping pong, but comparing to golf I love golf more, so I decided to stay on the golf.

Q. Does your dad play golf at all?

YUJIE LIU: Well, he's like an amateur, but he plays really good. But now since I'm starting to play like better and then so just kind of give up on his golf.

Q. How many shots do you have to give him now?

YUJIE LIU: Like ten. (Laughing.)

Q. How low do you think you can go on this course?

YUJIE LIU: I mean, this course there is like a lot of opportunities, but also you have to be careful on some of the odd situations.

So I think the lowest, we can actually shot like 62-ish. So I think this golf course is like challenging but also gives you a lot of opportunities.

Q. What happened to you on No. 4?

YUJIE LIU: Yeah, No. 4 I was like -- my driver was on the fairway and then it was 166. And then I used my 5-iron and it went straight to the right and then went in the bunker. There was like a plugged bunker shot. And then it was like a 30-yard shot and then just used 50. And then went over the green and then I one-chipped and two-putt, so made a double.

Q. How do you keep your cool after something like that? Must be quite dispiriting when you're chasing, had a good start, and then you double like that. How do you get your mind back on the game?

YUJIE LIU: I just feel really confident today. I'm just trying to be super brave and committed, and the rest is just trying to really enjoy this round. And so I just thought about it's okay. We'll just start again. It's not like a really big deal.

Q. Again, 18 you were in a bit of trouble. What happened there?

YUJIE LIU: Yeah, so my driver went left in the bunker. I was trying to be aggressive so I took my 5-wood, but I hit that one thin and so didn't went out of the bunker.

Then so I had to layup with my 8-iron and then went on the fairway, and the was like 200 to the pin and then I used my 5-wood again.

And then I hit like a really good shot and then ended up right like five-yard putt. And then I just feel like really confident and then I'm trying to make that putt and then it did went in.

Q. That's fantastic. We haven't had a China player win the Women's Amateur. Is that your focus now? You think you've got a good chance going into tomorrow?

YUJIE LIU: Well, not thinking about that too you much. I'm just trying to same as today and the other few days before. Just trying to focus on my strategy and then do my best and then just have fun.

Q. Just final one from me: What are your plans immediately after this? What's on the agenda for you the next couple of months golf-wise?

YUJIE LIU: So after this I'm going back to Beijing for school. After a week I'm going to America for the Junior Invitational. After that, it's not really scheduled yet.

Q. Your hopes for the year? Any major ambitions?

YUJIE LIU: I'm just trying to like win a few tournaments, like as much as possible. But I'm not trying to give myself like too much pressure and stuff. Just trying to be like really brave and committed and just try my best and have fun.

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