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U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

July 4, 1998

Jenny Chuasiriporn

KOHLER, WISCONSIN

RHONDA GLENN: What did you hit to the green on 18?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: I hit a 5-wood and I was probably about 190 --

RHONDA GLENN: The putt was about what?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: About three and a half feet.

RHONDA GLENN: Jenny, first of all, how do you feel being in this position? You are in fourth place. Looks like you are going to be paired with Liselotte Neumann tomorrow. Crowds are huge. What is that like?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: I don't even know if it has hit me yet. That is just incredible. I don't know. I don't really know if I am really, you know, really realizing what is going on. Wow, like, tomorrow is just going to be a blur probably.

RHONDA GLENN: Do you think you will sleep much tonight?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: Yeah, I will definitely be able to sleep after today.

RHONDA GLENN: What did the course play like today and what were the conditions for you as a player?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: It was just -- the wind was just brutal today, I guess. But, the pins were pretty tough too. But I just went out there expecting that bogeys were going to come and that -- just to keep plugging away at it. I made a couple really good par saves, one on 12, which was really --

RHONDA GLENN: I didn't get to see that. Tell us about that.

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: No. 12, I pulled my 5-iron to the left. I flung my chip out of the thick grass. Made probably about a downhill 20-footer for par. I almost can't even remember the front 9 right now.

RHONDA GLENN: Well, you hit 11 of 14 fairways and 12 greens today which is fewer than you normally hit. Was it the wind what made the difference?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: Yeah, the wind was -- I mean, on a couple of holes you just had probably three clubs different. I'd say probably on four, five of the holes, you really couldn't even go for the pin. Pars were just great out there today.

RHONDA GLENN: You have played with Mhairi McKay before. Tell us when you played with her and how -- explain what you were talking about earlier when we were chatting, your reaction to playing with her and what you think of her game.

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: She is just an incredible player. I played with her when I was a freshman and she was a senior at Stanford. I just -- I love -- I am a big fan of her swing just because it is really compact. When I did play with her, I played so well because just by watching her swing, it was such a good change to look at for my own swing.

RHONDA GLENN: What do you think your chances are tomorrow?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: Wow, I don't know -- I don't even -- what is it, four shots, five shots?

RHONDA GLENN: Four shots.

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: Wow, I mean, the chances are there. I just -- I guess I am just going to hope that the putts fall. I am kind of scared to see what happens if I do win. But --

RHONDA GLENN: How would it feel if it was Jenny Chuasiriporn, U.S. Women's Open Champion?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: I am going to try my hardest, but -- I don't even know. I can't -- that is just going to be a dream come true, I guess.

RHONDA GLENN: You said your parents had closed their restaurant. They are here with you. Did you speak to them after the round?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: Not yet. I haven't been able to talk to them. We usually meet like in front of the putting green or in front of the clubhouse door, after, you know, a couple -- like 20 minutes after I am finished. But I haven't talked to them yet.

RHONDA GLENN: You were pretty excited about what happened on the last hole between Pak and Neumann.

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: Yeah.

RHONDA GLENN: How did you feel about that when you were watching?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: That is just an incredible finish. I don't know, just to hit into the water and actually gain a stroke is just - I mean, that is what the Open is all about, just the turnaround is just -- it is always there, it is always -- anything can happen, I guess.

RHONDA GLENN: Any questions?

Q. Have you ever played in wind that was as bad as this or anything comparable in this type of wind?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: I played in the East Regionals last year. Actually, our team didn't make it to that last year, but we played in wind even stronger than this. It was just constant. It makes it really hard to -- actually I have a hard time concentrating 100% on my putts because the ball is shaking and, you know, on the tee -- when you tee off, too, just when the wind is gusting like that, it is so hard to keep your balance, keep your rhythm and focus 100%.

Q. Last year's Open experience, how much do you think that is going to help you tomorrow dealing with the pressure?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: Oh, it has probably helped so much already. I think it has just kind of gotten me accustomed to the people, the people watching. The crowd is great, though. I mean, I love anyone watching women's golf. It is so nice to see so many people enthusiastic about the game. I think last year was kind of maybe my run through for this year. But, I mean, I don't know specifically how it has helped, but I think probably for the nerves has made me a little -- probably made me less nervous playing in front of people.

RHONDA GLENN: Jenny was low amateur last year at the Women's Open. Looks like you have a good shot at that again.

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: Yeah, both Brenda and I.

RHONDA GLENN: Brenda was the only other amateur to make the cut.

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: I think I got her by a couple of shots last year.

Q. What is it like as an amateur to be going into the final round up there on the leaderboard being in one of the last groups? Can you talk about that?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: Being an amateur? I don't know, I think it is really nice, actually, to represent amateurs, in general, just because it is a strong field. I mean, the college players today are just -- are getting better and better, as they always say. But, there is so many good players playing in college and it is always nice to see them -- see a couple of people do well in a major event like this.

Q. Have you thought about how this might affect your media future if you win this thing?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: I don't know, I am probably not going to listen to anything if I do win.

Q. Where is your parents' restaurant?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: It is in Baltimore, Baltimore City. It is just north of Johns Hopkins. It is not in Downtown, probably near to the city county line.

Q. What kind of restaurant?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: A Thai restaurant.

RHONDA GLENN: It is called Bangkok Place?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: Yes.

RHONDA GLENN: Did you have another question?

Q. I just wanted to know if she did get first or second would it change her plans regards to when you plan to turn professional?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: Probably not. Next year probably after I graduate.

RHONDA GLENN: You have a birthday next week?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: Yes.

RHONDA GLENN: You will be 21 on July 9th.

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: Yes, less than a week.

RHONDA GLENN: Briefly tell me one thing: You were concerned about the Curtis Cup players, and four of them made the cut. Four of your team -- three of your teammates and yourself. Have you all talked about that or has there been any feeling on your part what that might mean?

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: I think we are all really supportive of each other and just for all of us to be able to play in this Open and just to be, you know, be put in the position of playing this hard course and with the pressure and everything, it is going to probably -- it is a great preparation for when we play August 1.

RHONDA GLENN: Great, Jenny, what a wonderful performance for you. Great round.

JENNY CHUASIRIPORN: Thank you.

RHONDA GLENN: We wish you much luck tomorrow.

End of FastScripts....

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