The new LPGA Women's Golf Tour tournament, the Black Desert Championship, kicks off on May 2 (Japan time) at the Black Desert Resort in Utah, USA, and will be broadcast live on WOWOW every day. This tournament will be the first reshuffle, which will change the participation priority from the following week, so this will be a significant week in predicting the mid-season.
All 13 Japanese tour members will be participating, including Mao Saigo, who won the first major tournament last week. WOWOW released interviews with the Japanese players just before the opening. We will deliver them in two parts.
◇Ayaka Furue
-First of all, can you look back on the first major of the year that took place last week?
The course had become softer due to the long period of rain, and it was a very long major, but even though it was difficult, I think I was able to gradually make adjustments from the first day towards the final day.
-What are your impressions of this week's course?
It felt really refreshing to see the red soil mountains and rocks on the course.
--There are doglegs on the outcourse, what do you think are the key points?
I think there are many parts of the tee shot that require careful play. I want to make sure I stay on the fairway, and there are some undulations on the green, so I want to be able to get the ball on there and into a good position.
--This is your first tournament on this course, but do you feel you can get a good score after doing a practice round?
The course itself is short so I don't think it will be easy, but I think you can get a good score on your tee shots and second shots.
--Please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.
The atmosphere of the course is different, so I will have to concentrate well, and since the wind will probably be blowing, I hope I can adapt well and compete for the top spot again.
◇Mao Saigo
--In a recent interview you said that it was starting to sink in that you'd won a major championship. How do you feel now?
I have already switched my mindset to this week, and with the new tournament this week and the course environment that is rare, I know I need to stay fully focused and play, so I will switch my mindset and do my best.
--You've had a string of games in a row, how is your condition?
My physical condition isn't that bad and I've been able to train properly, so although I don't know how my golf game will go yet, I think I'll be in good physical condition this week.
--I believe you played a practice round yesterday. What were your impressions of the course?
The areas I had to aim for were getting quite tight and there were many holes where I couldn't use the driver, so I felt that when the wind started to pick up in the afternoon, management would become very important.
--There are many doglegs on the outer course, what are the key points?
When there is a crosswind, it makes a big difference where you aim at the target, so I think you have to be careful when hitting rocks and taking courageous alignments.
--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm.
This week too, I want to focus on my own play and do my best to play well.
◇Reo Takeda
-First of all, can you look back on your first major match last week?
It was a great experience. I was disappointed on the last day, so I'd like to try again next year.
--You've had a string of games in a row, how is your condition?
I think fatigue has been building up without me realizing it, but I feel good now because I think I had a good rest on Monday.
--What do you think is the most important aspect of how to approach this course?
Since you're not using a driver, I think it's important to place the ball firmly on the fairway and aim for the second shot from there.
--Do you think you'll be able to get a good score?
The distance isn't that long and the green is relatively easy to stop on, so I think I'll be able to make a lot more than last week.
--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm.
I will do my best to play to my best this week as well.
◇Akinori Iwai
-First, can you look back on last week's Chevron?
Last week was a tough battle on a tough course, and I wanted to aim higher, but I felt frustrated that I couldn't go even though I felt like I could. The green was quite difficult, and the pin position was also swinging, so I thought it was a major. I'm happy that Saigo won, and it will give Japanese players a lot of power, and I think everyone will be fired up, so I think more and more Japanese players will come.
--Please tell us if you've made any adjustments this week.
The fairways are rolling pretty well this week and it feels like the ball is flying quite a distance, so I'd like to judge that.
--It seems like there are quite a few doglegs on the outside course, which do you think will be the key points this week?
I think the tee shot will be important this week too. I think there are many options for hitting with different clubs, so I'd like to judge that and feel the wind, and consult with others.
--How do you feel about your own shots and how you're feeling?
It's not bad, just like always.
-Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.
I'm going to have fun this week and do my best to get lots of birdies.
◇Nasa Hataoka
--Last week was your first major event of the year. Can you first look back on it?
I felt like I started the day better prepared than ever before, but I realized that there were a lot of issues to address on the course, especially on the greens, during these four days.
Q: How are your shots and putting going so far this week?
There are also many bent grass-like greens, and as is the case with the fairways in the morning and afternoon, they start out soft and then harden, so I'll be trying to get a good feel for the distances in that area.
--There are rocks on the course, but what is your overall impression of the course?
There are so many blinding shots in the landing areas, so I think where you place your tee shot, especially on the front nine, is going to be key.
--The altitude is high, but do you feel the difference in distance?
It's still chilly in the morning, so I don't think it makes that much of a difference, but when I go to the course, I get the impression that my irons fly about one club further than usual. If I hit the ball as usual at the distance written in the yardage book, I think I'll end up running out, so I think I'm surprisingly using a driver for my tee shots less often.
-Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.
I'm really looking forward to the new tournament this week, and although I don't know what score I'll get, I'll do my best to finish in a good position.
*The Black Desert Championship will be broadcast live on WOWOW Live and WOWOW On Demand from 7am on all four days from the first day (May 2nd) to the final day (May 5th). WOWOW On Demand will broadcast live the performances of Japanese athletes using a camera dedicated to Japanese athletes.
