The ShopRite LPGA Classic, an event on the LPGA women's golf tour, kicked off on June 7th (Japan time) at the Seaview Bay Course in New Jersey, USA, and will be broadcast live daily on WOWOW. At last week's U.S. Women's Open, three players made it into the top 10: Takeda Reo in 2nd place, Saigo Mao in 4th place, and Shibuno Hinako in 7th place. Eleven Japanese players, including Takeda and the other three, as well as Furue Ayaka, who placed 2nd in the same tournament last year, will be competing in the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Ahead of the tournament's opening, Takeda, Saigo, Shibuno, and Furue spoke of their enthusiasm.
◇Reo Takeda
--You played some great golf last week, coming in just short of winning a major (tied for second place). Can you look back on that?
The four days last week were a great learning experience, and although I'm disappointed with the result, I'd like to try again next year.
--This week's course seems completely different from last week's. What do you think?
The course feels different to last week, it's flat and I think it's going to be quite an aggressive course, so I hope I can play a style of golf that suits it.
--Every year this course becomes a birdie battle, but what do you think are the key points?
Some of the greens are small, so I want to play the kind of golf that allows me to place my tee shot firmly on the fairway and then set up a birdie chance.
--You've been in good form this week, but how do you feel about your shots?
My golf game is still going okay, but I hope I can improve in preparation for the tournament.
--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.
This week too, I will focus on my own play and do my best to compete at the top.
◇Mao Saigo
--You may have been disappointed last week (tied for 4th place at the U.S. Women's Open), but you played good golf. Can you look back on that time?
I felt like I played very well in the qualifying round, but in the final round I felt like I wasn't able to play the golf I wanted to.
--Please tell us about anything you've learned or any ideas you have about areas you would like to prepare in.
After all, major tournaments are all about how much you can control your mind. I've gained confidence that if I prepare well in advance, I can still place in the top ranks even if I'm not in top form, so I'd like to continue doing that in the future.
--You won at Chevron (your first major tournament) and you've been getting more attention since then, so how do you feel about that?
I am very grateful to have the opportunity to play in such a group, so I would like to continue working hard to be able to compete in that position in the future.
--The course layout is completely different this week than it was last week, so how do you feel being on the course this week?
I struggled a lot on the greens last year, and this year is my first time playing on this type of green (Poana grass), so I'm having a hard time imagining it and I think a lot of it will depend on luck, but I'd like to make the most of my chances and increase the number of birdies I can get.
--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.
It's a three-day tournament, so I want to improve my score from the first day onwards and do my best to be in a good position to compete.
◇ Hinako Shibuno
--You must be disappointed with last week's U.S. Women's Open (tied for 7th place), but can you look back on it?
It was a frustrating day at the very end, but I'm very happy to have made it into the top 10, and I'd like to keep up this momentum and do my best from now on.
--It's sure to be completely different from last week, but is there anything you want to focus on this week?
Basically, the area around the green is very difficult, so I want to make sure I can get the ball on the same level, but I'd also like to take advantage of the wind to get there.
--I imagine you'll be fighting under a lot of pressure, but how have you been feeling physically since the start of this week?
I'm feeling totally fine, so I hope to be in top condition again tomorrow.
--I think past tournaments have been a battle of birdies, but what do you think is the most important aspect?
I wonder if I can get birdies on the par 5s, and since there are many short holes, I wonder if I can use a wedge to get a chance. The greens are also poana (grass), which I hate every year (laughs), so I'd like to be able to hit the ball where I want to.
--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.
I will do my best to get under 3 days and move up.
◇Ayaka Furue
--The atmosphere will be completely different this week, but how do you feel now that you're on the course?
I've been able to identify some of my weaknesses, so I'd like to be able to make the adjustments and have a good round.
--Last year you had a great result and came very close to winning, but now that we're here this week, what are your impressions of the course?
I think the conditions of the course are actually better than last year, so I would like to be able to adapt to that, and since it's a course that will lead to improved scores over the three-day competition, I would like to do my best to keep up.
--Every year this course is a birdie battle, but what do you think are the key points?
I don't think the green or the area around the green is easy because it's Poana (grass), but I hope I can hit a good birdie putt. I hope I can get on the green and make it if I get a chance.
--Are the conditions of the greens significantly different between the morning and afternoon?
Yes, I think the greens in the first half of the game probably won't bounce as much, but in the second half the ball gets really bouncy, so I think that will be difficult.
--Finally, please tell us about your preparations for this week.
I'd like to aim for under par every day and do my best to be able to compete for all three days.
*WOWOW will broadcast the ShopRite LPGA Classic live every day. It will be broadcast and streamed live on WOWOW Prime and WOWOW On Demand from 1:00 AM on the first day (June 7th), 4:00 AM on the second day (8th), and 3:00 AM on the final day (9th). On the final day, if there is an extension, it will be broadcast live on WOWOW from 7:00 AM on the 9th. WOWOW On Demand will also stream live a "camera dedicated to Japanese players" that focuses on Japanese players (the first day will be from 8:40 PM on the 6th).
