Mao Saigo is enthusiastic about the Evian Championships; 12 Japanese athletes compete (Part 2)

The fourth major tournament on the LPGA Women's Golf Tour, the Amundi Evian Championship (Evian Championship), will begin on July 10th (Japan time) at Evian Resort GC in France, and will be broadcast and streamed live every day on WOWOW.

The Japanese team will include Ayaka Furue, who won last year's tournament and is aiming to be the first Japanese player to win consecutive major championships, Mao Saigo, who won the first major tournament of the season, the Chevron Championship, Reo Takeda, who won the Blue Bay LPGA in her rookie year, and Chirei Iwai, who won the Mexico Riviera Maya Open for the first time. Saigo and the others spoke about their enthusiasm in an interview just before the start of the WOWOW broadcast. We will deliver this in two parts.

◇Mao Saigo

--You're now approaching your fourth major tournament, the Amundi Evian Championship. How do you feel?

Time has flown by and I feel like I'm back here again at this time of year.

--You've been in the running to win this tournament in the past (tied for third place in 2022), but now that you're back, what do you think will be the key points?

I think the slope of the green and the fact that there are no flat lies on the fairway will be the biggest key issue.

--How are your shots going so far this week?

I don't feel that I'm doing that well, but I can see the direction I want to go in, so it's just a matter of how well I can achieve that in the match.

--Please tell us if there is any routine that you do that never changes, or anything that you do without changing.

I don't really like to have a routine, but I often have things I need to do automatically routed to me, like training at the beginning of the week, so I don't really think about it that much. Also, on game days I try to get a good night's sleep, so I think the most important thing for me is to get to bed early.

--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.

Since it's a major tournament, I'll be really emotional, but I'll try my best to play in my own style.

◇Akinori Iwai

--You placed in the top 10 in this tournament last time, but how do you feel about this year's competition?

As with every match, I would like to work hard and aim for a higher ranking.

-What are your impressions of the Evian tournament?

It's kind of bright and cheerful, everyone in the gallery is really lively and it gives the impression of being very lively.

--What aspects of the project do you feel have given you a sense of accomplishment?

There's nothing particularly special about it, but the shots themselves aren't bad, so the match starts tomorrow and I hope I can manage it well and do well.

--Do you have any routines or habits that you do every time?

I don't decide on anything specific to do before a match; I do things like running, but I don't really have any rules.

--Finally, please tell us again about your enthusiasm and goals for the tournament.

I'm going to have fun, communicate a lot with my caddie Mark, and do my best to play in a way that will impress everyone watching.

◇ Chirei Iwai

--At the KPMG Women's PGA Championship in June, you tied for fourth place, your best result in a major. How do you feel about this upcoming major?

I had a nice week off and am feeling refreshed and ready to work hard this week.

-What is your impression of Evian?

This was my second time here, the first time being two years ago. The last time I came here, it seemed windy. The fairways are narrow, and it seems like a tricky course.

--What are some points you would like to focus on in terms of play in this tournament?

Staying on the fairway. It seems to be a bit shorter than it was two years ago, but it's a tough course if you get into the rough, so I want to make sure I stay on the fairway.

--Do you have any routines or habits?

I guess I sing in the morning. Well, I play music, so I sing along with my parents. I keep singing because I feel like my day starts and ends brightly when I sing.

--Finally, please tell us about your enthusiasm and goals for this tournament.

I will do my best to enjoy the race at my own pace and compete for the championship.

◇Nasa Hataoka

--Do you think Evian has participated in the event many times already? How does it feel to be back here again?

This is my 7th or 8th time playing, and the course has some pretty impressive undulations. The green faces the lake, and although the grain is different, it feels a little fast.

--What are the conditions of the rough and greens like?

There are some long rough spots, and there are also spots where you can aim for the green depending on how you get in, so I think you have to judge where you want to go.

--How are you feeling?

I've been hitting the ball pretty well in practice, so now it's just a matter of figuring out how to hit the ball in relation to the slope on a course with these kinds of undulations.

--Is there any routine, food or training that you always follow before a competition?

I usually train on Tuesdays before a match and on Fridays during a match, so I try to train about twice a week. Recently, I try to move my body and if there are any parts that are difficult to move, I focus on those parts. I have a basic menu, but I also monitor my physical condition from week to week.

--Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this week.

It's been a while since my last match in Europe, so I'd like to do my best to win.

*WOWOW will broadcast and stream the Amundi Evian Championship live every day. On the first day (July 10th), the first half will start at 7pm and the second half at 10pm; on the second day (11th), the first half will start at 7pm and the second half at 11pm; on the third day (12th), the first half will start at 5pm and the second half at 10:15pm; on the final day (13th), the first half will start at 5pm and the second half at 10pm. The first half of each will be on WOWOW Prime. The second half will be broadcast live on WOWOW Cinema. In addition to live streaming on WOWOW On Demand, there will also be a live stream with a "camera dedicated to Japanese players" to focus on the play of Japanese players.