Yuri Yoshida:13 Japanese players compete in the Ford Championship, eager to win in both Japan and the US for two consecutive weeks. Interviews just before the start of the tournament (Part 2)

The LPGA Women's Golf Tour's Ford Championship kicks off on March 28 (Japan time) at Whirlwind GC in Arizona, USA, and WOWOW will broadcast live coverage of the four days of play. For the first time this season, 13 Japanese tour members will be taking part in the full tournament, including Takeda Reo, winner of the previous tournament, Blue Bay LPGA, Furue Ayaka, who has been in the top three for two consecutive tournaments, Iwai Akemi, who competed for the championship in Thailand in February, and Yoshida Yuri, who is aiming for two consecutive victories in Japan and the USA. Ahead of the opening, the players shared their enthusiasm. We will deliver it in two parts.

◇Yoshida Yuri

--Congratulations on your victory at the domestic tour last week! I think you'll be in good form this week, how do you feel about that?

I think the golf itself is in really good shape, so I think it's just a matter of making a good score on this course, and controlling things like the amount of spin and the various bounces.

--Please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.

I think we've been able to make a good switch from last week, but I'm still in a position where I need to think about reshuffling and other points, so I want to take each game seriously, and especially this week, and do my best.

--I'm sure there are a lot of fans in Japan who watched it last week and this week. Please give a message to your fans.

Thank you for your constant warm support. I've received a lot of support in Japan, and although I'll be playing golf in a different environment than I do in the U.S., I hope I can show everyone a good performance on TV.

◇ Chirei Iwai

--You finished in the top positions in last week's domestic tour. Can you first look back on that?

(V Points x SMBC Ladies Tournament) I was over the limit on the first day, but from the second day onwards I think I was able to enjoy myself at my own pace.

--You seem to be on a pretty good roll here, but how are your shots going since coming to Arizona?

I was in good shape. I wasn't able to practice this morning, but I felt really good during the round.

--You've been paired with overseas caddies for several games. How is the communication with them?

I think it's really good. The caddies are very cheerful and sometimes even tell jokes to lighten the mood, which is really helpful.

--Please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.

I'm going to enjoy this week at my own pace.

◇ Hinako Shibuno

--This is your first LPGA Tour tour since Asia. Can you start by looking back on the Asia Series?

I was very disappointed, but after taking a two-week break I played in a match in Japan last week, which was a very inspiring week for me and allowed me to work hard, so I'm looking forward to coming back to the States and doing my best again.

--Last week you went on a domestic tour for the first time in a while and it must have given you a lot of energy. How was that?

It was great fun to play with so many people supporting me and a large gallery in attendance, and personally it was a long time since I've made it into the top 10, so it was a really good moment for me.

--You've made it into the top 10 and you seem to be on a good run, but how do you feel about your own shots?

Hmm...I'm still not 100%, but I think it's getting better, so I'd like to keep swinging it well.

--Please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.

This is our fourth game of the season, but we're still not competing at the top level, so we'll do our best.

◇Minami Katsu

--This tournament is coming up soon after your match in Japan, so when will you be arriving in Japan?

I arrived on Sunday night. After the final day of the match in Japan, I was planning to call a taxi from home, but I thought I might not make it in time, so I delayed it by 30 minutes. My luggage wasn't perfect yet, so I quickly got ready, took a shower, and came out (laughs).

Q: You placed 7th in your first tournament this season, 12th at the Blue Bay LPGA, and 3rd in Japan last week. What do you feel is the best part or what makes you feel good about it?

The good parts are different every time, like in the first match in Florida my shots were good, and in China my putting was good. When my shots are good my putting is... I'm not saying it's bad, but it's not great, and there are many times when it doesn't go the way I imagine it would. When my putting is good my shots are like that, so it feels like I'm unbalanced in a bad way, so I think if I can get that balance together a little more I can go higher.

--Please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.

First of all, the most important thing is to pass the qualifying rounds, so I will do my best to pass them in the top positions and get into the fight for the championship.

◇ Yuuna Nishimura

--You've come from Japan to America to compete in the tournament. How is your physical condition and jet lag?

I arrived there on Monday and played one round in the heat yesterday, so I'm a little tired, but I think I'm dealing with the jet lag well.

--During your two-week break you competed in domestic tournaments. Are there any areas you feel you need to improve on or address any issues you have?

I think it's about the shots, so if I can improve that, I think I'll be able to play my own style of golf. My coach is here with me this week, so I hope it will be a great week.

--You also competed in Arizona last year. The course was different, but what were your impressions of the desert course?

I have the impression that the ground in Arizona is hard and the greens are hard and difficult to stop, but I like the atmosphere here, so I hope I can have fun while playing.

--Please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.

First of all, I want to do my best to be able to play for all four days, and even though it's hot, I want to enjoy it to the fullest.

◇ Saki Baba

-Can you look back on your first appearance this season at the Blue Bay LPGA in China?

Last time, I was able to get consecutive birdies at the end despite the difficult conditions, so I'm glad I was able to finish the climb in good shape.

--I'm sure you've had quite a few mishaps and experienced a variety of things, but please tell us about any challenges or accomplishments you've seen.

My shots weren't good at the Blue Bay LPGA, so I often missed the ball in difficult places, but I was able to recover well after that. My shots aren't very good this time either, so I want to be able to recover well.

--Please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.

I will do my best to pass the qualifying rounds this week as well.

*WOWOW will broadcast the Ford Championship live every day. The first day (March 28th), second day (29th), third day (30th), and final day (31st) will be broadcast live and streamed on WOWOW Live and WOWOW On Demand from 7am on all four days. The "Japanese Players Only Camera" (standard version), which broadcasts the play of Japanese players, will be streamed live on WOWOW On Demand.