The Lotte Championship on the LPGA Women's Golf Tour kicked off on November 7th at Hoakalei CC in Hawaii, and Japanese rookie Yoshida Yuri placed 7th, two strokes behind the leader. WOWOW is broadcasting the tournament live every day until the final day on the 10th. In addition to Yoshida, nine other Japanese players will be participating, including Furue Ayaka, Hataoka Nasa, Saigo Mao, Shibuno Hinako, Nishimura Yuna, Katsu Minami, Inami Mone, and Hara Hideki. Before the tournament began, Yoshida spoke of her enthusiasm in an interview with WOWOW.
◇Yoshida Yuri
--You've got only a little time left of your rookie year, but how do you feel looking back on the past year?
This past year has flown by, and I have a clear idea of what I need to do and what I need to do from now on, so I think it's time to start thinking about the off-season.
--What is your impression of the course?
This is my first time in Hawaii and I've heard it's very difficult, so I was curious about how difficult it would be, but the wind is strong and there's nothing to block it, and the greens have a unique type of grass, so I think it will be very difficult to get the spin and distance right.
--The wind will be a key factor, so how do you plan to deal with the wind?
You don't know how strong the wind will be, so I hope I can hit the ball with the height and spin I imagine, but I think it will be quite difficult.
--Every year the winner dances the hula, do you have an image of hula dancing in mind?
I think it's a gentle, cute dance with flowers on their bodies.
--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.
I often feel like I'm playing well but not getting the score I want, and vice versa. But I want to play my hardest, and although I think the wind is strong, I hope I can concentrate on each shot.
◇Furue Ayaka
--You've traveled a long distance to Hawaii this week, but how are you feeling about jet lag and your physical condition?
It's been a while since I've traveled that far, but I was able to rest for a day, so I think I'll be fine for the match.
--The wind seems to be a key point, how do you feel about that?
The ocean is close, so I think the heavy winds will be difficult, so I'll want to be careful about that.
--There are some holes that involve ponds, are there any holes that you think will be difficult for you, Furue?
Maybe the 16th. I think most of the tee shots will be on a cliff, so I'd like to see if I can land the ball on the fairway and keep it there.
--If you win in Hawaii, you'll have to dance the hula. How do you imagine that?
I'd like to dance my best (laughs).
--Finally, please tell us your goals for this week.
I'll stay focused and do my best while enjoying the atmosphere of Hawaii.
◇Mao Saigo
--You traveled from Japan to Hawaii, how are your conditions?
I'm still not over the jet lag and I'm not feeling too well physically, but I'll be motivated and doing my best again from tomorrow.
--Speaking of Hawaii, the wind seems to be a key point, so what are your impressions of this course?
When I played yesterday, the wind really had a strong effect, and I felt like I had to change the club number quite a bit to get the distance right, so I'll be playing with caution.
--If you win this tournament, there's a hula dance, but have you imagined the hula dance yet?
I haven't, so for now I'll do my best to play well for the four days.
--There are three games left in your rookie season. Is there anything you want to be conscious of?
Your rookie season is really coming to an end in the blink of an eye, and I haven't yet achieved my goal of winning this season, so I hope to work hard towards that goal.
----Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this fall!
This week, I want to play to the best of my ability and do my best to compete for the top spots.
◇Hataoka Nasa
--It's been two weeks since your last US tour, so what did you do?
I arrived in Hawaii early and practiced, including adjusting to the time difference.
--When you think of Hawaii, the wind is what comes to mind, so what are your thoughts on how to deal with it?
I think it's important to control the follow-through or headwind rather than making full shots, and to properly adjust the distance in front and behind, so I'd like to work hard to make proper adjustments in that area.
--You've been practicing carefully at the driving range, but how are you feeling yourself?
You're swinging well with your shots, so it's just a matter of how many chances you can create, and the grain is strong, so I want to make sure I can make good use of the remaining grain when putting.
--This tournament is famous for the winner dancing the hula, but can you imagine dancing yet?
If I win, I think I'll just have to dance with all my might (laughs).
--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.
Every year, a lot of Japanese fans come to support me, so I want to do my best to show them a good performance.
◇Shibuno Hinako
--You were a little out of shape, including during the trip to Hawaii, but how is your condition?
I'm getting better, so I don't think people need to worry about my health.
--In 2022, you competed for the championship in this tournament, but how do you feel now that you're back?
I think that because of that result, I can approach this tournament with a slightly different mindset, and I think golf has changed since then, so I want to do my best to ensure a good result.
--There was a strong wind blowing when I was competing for the championship, but what do you think about the wind that is unique to Hawaii?
I don't really like the wind, but I felt like I was able to become friends with it at the time, so I'm not sure how it will be this year. I'll do my best to become friends with it again this year.
ーーIt's well-known that the winner of this tournament does a hula dance. Can you imagine yourself doing it?
If I wanted to, I'd do it (laughs). I guess it's just a matter of seeing how it turns out.
ーーThere are only a few matches left, so is there anything you want to be conscious of?
I'm not sure if I'll be able to play in the CME (final tournament), so I'll do my best to make sure I don't have any regrets with each shot.
◇Nishimura Yuna
ーーIt's a long journey from Hawaii to Japan, how is your jet lag and physical condition?
I had a lot of jet lag yesterday and had a hard time falling asleep, but it's gradually getting better, so I think I'll be okay by tomorrow.
ーーThe wind, which is unique to Hawaii, seems to be a key point. What do you think?
The practice round yesterday was quite windy, so it was difficult, and the grass is different from Japan and the grass is strong, so I felt like I was in Hawaii.
----The greens and fairways seem to get hard when the wind blows, but what is your impression of the course as a whole?
Many of the greens are quite narrow vertically, so many holes are quite difficult when the greens get hard, but I think it's important to manage it well and go all out, including with your putt, so I hope I can just go all out without worrying too much about it.
You said that your coach came to see you at the Maybank Championship two weeks ago and the Toto Japan Classic last week, so how is your swing going?
I think the things I need to do have been narrowed down quite a bit, and I'm able to swing more boldly during matches, so I think I'm heading in a good direction.
There are not many matches left. Is there anything you want to be conscious of for the remaining matches?
I really want to play in the final match, so I want to keep the result in mind as I play, but I think it all comes down to how boldly I can swing during the match, so I hope I can focus on that and do my best.
◇Hara Hideki
Congratulations on passing the second qualifying round of the Q Series (final qualifying tournament). Can you look back on it?
You weren't in good form and you really wanted to pass, but you were also nervous and started off 3 over par for the first 4 holes, but then you had a lot of accidents, but I think it was good that you were able to pull yourself together and put together the four days.
You've had a string of matches and you're in Hawaii this week, so I imagine you traveled a lot. How are you feeling about jet lag and your physical condition?
I don't think it's affecting you that much and you're playing well.
Speaking of Hawaii, it's the wind. What are your thoughts on dealing with the wind?
I think spin control is the most important thing, but I'm not in great form right now, so I'm going to do my best and concentrate on each shot.
Speaking of Hawaii, the winners do the hula dance. Do you have an image of that?
I imagine hula dancing...just in a jog (laughs).
Please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.
I am grateful to have been recommended and have been given the opportunity to participate again this year, and I will do my best.
*...WOWOW will broadcast the Lotte Championship live every day. WOWOW Live will broadcast the matches live from 9 am Japan time until the final day (the 10th), and WOWOW On Demand will stream live footage of Japanese players' performances using a camera dedicated to Japanese players.
