U.S. Women’s Open conducted by the USGA
The Broadmoor, East Course
Colorado Springs, Colo.
July 9, 2011
Second-round notes and interviews
Mika Miyazato sits at 5-under-par and leads by one shot after two rounds of the U.S. Women’s Open, conducted by the USGA, at The Broadmoor, East Course in Colorado Springs, Colo. Miyazato fired a 4-under 67 in the second round, which was resumed at 7:00 a.m. MT on Saturday morning after being suspended by darkness on Friday night.
Miyazato is playing in her third U.S. Women’s Open and her best finish in an Open was a T57 in 2009. Miyazato is one of four players who have posted top-10 finishes in the first two majors of 2011. Miyazato finished in a T8 at the Wegmans LPGA Championship two weeks ago and a T7 at the Kraft Nabisco Championship back in early April. The other three players to post top-10s in both majors so far this year are Yani Tseng (1st LPGA Championship, 2nd Kraft Nabisco), Stacy Lewis (T6 LPGA Championship, 1st Kraft Nabisco) and Morgan Pressel (2nd LPGA Championship, T3 Kraft Nabisco).
Difficult to go low: After 36 holes of play in this year’s U.S. Women’s Open, only five players are under par. A total of 72 players made the cut, which fell at 7-over-par 149. Due to the weather delays, the third round pairings will feature threesomes and will feature players going off the first and 10th tees.
Two is better than one: Miyazato was a popular name at the top of the U.S. Women’s Open leaderboard, as the final pairing for the third round will feature not one but two Miyazatos. Rolex Rankings No. 9 Ai Miyazato sits one shot behind Mika Miyazato after two rounds of the tournament. Ai Miyazato shot a 3-under 68 in the second round to put herself in the last group for the third round.
Although they share the same last name and both are from Okinawa, Japan, Mika and Ai are not related. But the two are good friends who have known each other since they were around the age of 10 and both were looking forward to the opportunity to play together in the leading group at a major championship.
“It's really fun to play with her always,” said Ai Miyazato. “And especially in this tournament. I’m really, really excited.”
Putting herself in position again: This is I.K. Kim’s fifth U.S. Women’s Open and after finishing in a T61 in her first Open back in 2007, she has recorded three straight top-5 finishes in the tournament (T3 in 2008 and 2009, 4th place in 2010). After two rounds of this year’s U.S. Women’s Open, Kim once again finds herself near the top of the leaderboard.
Following a second-round 69, Kim is 3-under-par for the tournament and sitting alone in third place, two strokes off the lead. Kim has just one bogey in her first 36 holes this week, which came on No. 15 in the second round.
Rookie pro Jean Chua’s preparation for this year’s U.S. Women’s Open Championship began last year at the 2010 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. An amateur at the time, Chua was paired with Cristie Kerr and Laura Davies for one round and carded a 3-under 68 that day.
“Now when I see the well-known players, I feel more comfortable,” said Chua, 23, of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. “That’s a nice feeling.”
The LPGA Futures Tour rookie and former Wake Forest University collegian carded rounds of 77-69 to make the Open’s 36-hole cut at 2-under 146. Playing in her first Women’s Open, Chua said she was relieved when the second round was suspended on Friday.
With weather delays backing up play for the last two days, Chua sat around for most of the day on Friday waiting to play, and when she finally got out on the course, she bogeyed the first hole. The second round was suspended for lightning, and then for darkness on Friday, bringing Chua back to the course to complete her second round this morning.
“I was happy because I got to start over again today,” said Chua, who is one of six former Wake Forest players on the Futures Tour this year.
Chua got off to a hot start in her second round this morning, rolling in birdies on her first two holes. She bogeyed No. 10 today, but answered with a birdie from six feet on No. 16 and added another birdie from six feet on the 18th.
“I tried not to think about the cut and to just come out here and play good golf,” said Chua. “I’ll try to keep doing the same thing. Be patient. Take the pars and remember that pars are good.”
Don’t ignore the Mountain: LPGA Futures Tour rookie Sue Kim of British Columbia learned pretty quickly this week to pay attention to which way the greens break. And everybody in the field of the U.S. Women’s Open learned in their practice rounds that putts typically break away from Cheyenne Mountain and the Will Rogers shrine bordering The Broadmoor course.
Eight Futures Tour Players make cut: Nineteen members of the LPGA Futures Tour started the week at the U.S. Women’s Open Championship. But after the 36-hole cut, eight players will move into the final-two rounds.
Three-time Futures Tour winner Ryann O’Toole of San Clemente, Calif., climbed into a tie for fourth after 36 holes at one-under 141, while rookie pro Lizette Salas of Azusa, Calif., is tied for sixth at even-par 142.
Jean Chua of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is tied for 27th at 4-over 146, followed by Alison Walshe of Westford, Mass., Sue Kim of British Columbia, Canada, and Harukyo Nomura of Japan, all tied for 36th at 5-over 147.
I.K. Kim held a two-shot lead over Stacy Lewis, Wendy Ward and amateur Amy Anderson when second-round play at the U.S. Women’s Open conducted by the USGA was suspended due to darkness at 8:25 p.m. MT on Friday night. Kim was 4-under-par overall for the tournament and was 3-under through 14 bogey-free holes in her second round when play was halted. The second round is scheduled to resume at 7:00 a.m. MT on Saturday morning.
Play was actually suspended twice on Friday. For the second straight day, storms resulted in a delay in tournament action as play was suspended at 6:09 p.m. MT on Friday due to inclement weather. Play then resumed at 7:15 p.m. after a delay of a little over an hour and then darkness forced second-round play to continue on Saturday.
A total of 33 golfers completed the second round while 66 golfers have yet to tee off for the second round, including Anderson who sits two shot back of Kim after shooting a 2-under 69 in the first round. The current leaders in the clubhouse are Lizette Salas and Angela Stanford, who are both at even-par after two rounds of play.
First-round leader Stacy Lewis sat atop the leaderboard at 4-under-par when play was initially suspended for weather on Friday. She moved to 5-under-par with a birdie on the par-3 12th when play resumed after the delay, but a bogey on No. 14 and a double bogey on No. 15 dropped her back to 2-under. That’s where she sat through 16 holes when play was halted for the day.
Lewis shot a 3-under 68 during her first round on Friday morning to take a one-shot lead, albeit a short-lived one since she had only a short break before teeing off for the second round. The former University of Arkansas golfer is trying to become the first American to win two majors in the same season since 1999 when Juli Inkster won the U.S. Women’s Open and the LPGA Championship. Lewis became a Rolex First-Time Winner and captured her first major at the 2011 Kraft Nabisco Championship back in early April.
Making a run: Wendy Ward had one of the best rounds going when second-round play was halted. Ward was 4-under through 15 holes in her second round and sits two shots back of the leader Kim. Ward has four birdies and no bogeys so far in her second round.
A four-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Ward has yet to win a major championship. Ward’s best finish in a major was a tie for third at the LPGA Championship, which she accomplished twice – in 2000 and 2001.
Watch out for the elevation: Players heard the stories before they got here at The Broadmoor for this year’s U.S. Women’s Open. First, the course is set for a yardage of 7,047 yards and the Colorado Springs altitude could potentially create havoc with club selection. Colorado’s second-largest city has an elevation of 6,035 feet above sea level.
Secondly, with bell chimes echoing throughout the course from the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, located on Cheyenne Mountain overlooking The Broadmoor, word on the links was that all putts break away from the mountain.
So how seriously did players take heed?
“On every green, I walk up and find out where the statue is and I factor that in to determine where my putts will break,” said LPGA Futures Tour member Ashley Prange of Indiana. “I find it to be true.”
LPGA Tour member Nicole Hage of Florida consulted tour veterans Beth Daniel and Meg Mallon, who nearly won the Open here in 1995, about the legend of putts breaking away from the mountain. Hage was told there’s something to the story.
“It kind of makes sense because when you look at the course, everything is tilted away from the mountain,” said Hage.
Hage is also one of the LPGA’s longest hitters, so she was curious how her ball flight would be affected this week. Normally averaging around 280 off the tee, Hage had one drive in the first round that rocketed 330 yards.
“I hit it high, so I definitely got a few launchers out there,” said Hage, who estimates she is hitting the ball seven percent farther than normal.
Another long-hitting bomber on both the LPGA and LPGA Futures Tour is Ryann O’Toole of California, who averages around 280.5 yards off the tee. When asked how the elevation this week affects play, O’Toole said she feels fortunate because she also has a high ball flight.
“If you don’t hit it high and you don’t hit it far, you don’t go anywhere out here,” she said. “Trajectory is huge. The higher you hit it, the farther it goes.”
Hoping for a little symmetry: LPGA player Jimin Kang was looking at the sky right after play was suspended for lightning at 6:09 p.m. Kang was bummed because she liked her tee time for today’s second round.
Q. How many holes did you play today?
I had four holes left, so we did pretty good I think.
Q. Was there one thing you were doing better than others?
It was really everything. At the U.S. Open you don’t really go for the pins. You’ve got to be patient out there. There are only certain things you can take advantage of.
Q. You have had a lot of success at the U.S. Open, tied for fourth last year. Does the way the golf course is set up suit the way you play?
I like playing against all the top players. I just feel like I get better every time that I play in this tournament, and I really appreciate that.
THE MODERATOR: Angela Stanford at even par. Just talk about your round and give some general comments.
ANGELA STANFORD: I tried to keep it as steady as possible today. Knew that obviously we were going to play 36, so really just tried to keep an even keel emotionally and just tried to give myself a lot of opportunities.
Q. Did you play 36?
ANGELA STANFORD: I did. We completed 36.
Q. How often do you do that? Not very often?
ANGELA STANFORD: I think we counted, since '06, we have had to play more than 18, in the 30s, four times? Rhode Island, Pine Needles, last year, this year. It's tough at a U.S. Open.
Q. Not an easy course to walk, either.
ANGELA STANFORD: No. I feel better than I thought I would right now, but that might still be some of the adrenaline. I think I feel good because I'm finished.
Q. How much time did you have between? About an hour?
ANGELA STANFORD: I think so, but we had to take the shuttle out to 10, so it was a little shorter.
Q. As you were maybe in the last 9, did you feel some fatigue?
ANGELA STANFORD: You know, when we had to come in for the rain delay, I didn't know whether I should sit down or stand up. I was afraid if I sat down I wasn't gonna be able to stand up. I was a little nervous when we went out to finish the last four holes. Fortunately I made two birdies, but I was a little nervous, because I think if we would have sat much longer it would have been tough.
Q. Both ends of the spectrum, yesterday and today, feast and famine, which would you prefer?
ANGELA STANFORD: I'm happy right now. I told my caddie walking up one of the fairways, At least one of our two rounds had a flow to them. I mean, the little rain delay, but I think it would have been hard to hit a few shots today, tonight, and then go to sleep, get back out here at 7:00, play a round or even show up this morning, play two holes, and then have all day. So I think right now I feel like I got the better end of the deal.
Q. You said it's tougher at a U.S. Open to play 36. Is it just the mental...
ANGELA STANFORD: Yeah, you know, it was funny. We had to start on 10. On 11 I missed a three footer, and for some reason I thought it was going to left and the mountain is left. I thought, Oh, no, you know. I mean, we still have a whole 'nother round and I'm already mentally kind of fried here. I think sometimes at a U.S. Open it's more mental than physical in the 36.
Q. When they pull you in and off the course, is it mentally draining more so than physically draining?
ANGELA STANFORD: Yeah, because you have to find something to keep your mind off of it. You have to figure out how to stay in a rhythm. So there are a lot of different things. I mean, physically all you've got to do is sit and put your feet up. Mentally you've got to figure out, should I be watching a TV show, should I be listening to music, talking to my family? So I think it's more mentally drain.
Q. How do you keep focused?
ANGELA STANFORD: Ah, you know, I think because I've had some family and friends here it's been easy. You know, it's been kind of nice hanging out with them and not really talking about golf. So they've helped.
Q. It's already tough enough to play an Open, but then now you talk about the mountain and also the altitude; Juli Inkster was talking about having a graph for club selection. Does that really come into play a lot?
ANGELA STANFORD: There is a lot more to think about here than normal U.S. Opens with the altitude, and then I mean, there's really I mean, there's never a time in a U.S. Open to relax, but there is really not one here, because I mean, I'm not a math major, so... I mean, maybe that's helped me play one shot at a time, because I'm having a hard time doing all the math. You really don't have a chance to let down here.
LIZETTE SALAS, Rolex Rankings No. 639
MODERATOR: Even par through two rounds at the Women's Open, Lizette Salas.
LIZETTE SALAS: Hi, everybody.
Q. How are you doing?
LIZETTE SALAS: Good, just tired.
Q. You got two rounds in at even par. That's pretty good.
LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah, I just kind of thought of it as another U.S. Open qualifier where I played 36 holes and tried not to get too ahead of myself. I got into some trouble early which got my a little more grounded. And then on my back nine, which is the front nine, I went par what did I go, Greg? Par, par, par, birdie, birdie, so that get me back to red numbers. Then I bogeyed 5. From then on kept steady fairway, green, two putt, and occasional up and down. So it was good.
Q. How many holes did you play total today?
LIZETTE SALAS: Um, 35 and a putt. (Laughter.) Yeah, it was a long day.
Q. How much time did you have between rounds?
LIZETTE SALAS: About an hour. So I just stretched and hit a couple putts, ate some lunch. I was starving. Yep.
Q. Do you prefer this kind of day to yesterday?
LIZETTE SALAS: Well, I got play today, which is good. Yesterday I only hit a drive approach and a putt. Wish it didn't have to be like that, but weather, yeah.
Q. How much of a distraction is it, this weather?
LIZETTE SALAS: Um, it could be distracting just because you don't move for a long time and kind of lose focus. But, um, everyone has to deal with it. I've been dealing with it for three events on the Futures Tour, so I'm kind of used to it.
Q. Can you put into words and perspective the fact that not only are you making the cut at U.S. Women's Open, but you're on the leaderboard?
LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah, it's pretty nice to have my name up on the leaderboard. Um, is this is my fourth professional tournament. Just graduated from USC. It's been good so far. Going in with no expectations and just going to have fun with it.
Q. You shot 69 this morning. Coming off a good round like that, do you want to keep on playing? Were you in a groove?
LIZETTE SALAS: I was. I was kind of in like a boring stage I call it, just fairway, green, putt and occasionally I would hit a good shot close and make the birdie. Today got a little shaky. I was getting tired both physically and mentally tired, but I stayed strong throughout the round. Yeah, just wanted to par in. That's all I wanted to do.
Q. Did you play against Ryann O'Toole?
LIZETTE SALAS: I did for two years. Yeah, now I see her more. She's always been a long hitter, so it's good for her.
Q. This course set up well for her, you think? Are you surprised to see her up there?
LIZETTE SALAS: No, I'm not surprised. She's always been a good player. When she's on, she's on. Yeah, I'm glad to see she's up there, too. Good for our conference.
Q. When you get tired, how do you combat that?
LIZETTE SALAS: Um, well, swing wise I try not to force it, because if I force it I get into trouble. Just try to breathe more and just play a game in my head. Just hit the fairway, the green, and just make par. That's it.
The Broadmoor, East Course
Colorado Springs, Colo.
July 9, 2011
Second-round notes and interviews
Third-round play of the U.S. Women’s Open conducted by the USGA was suspended due to inclement weather at 3:59 p.m. MT on Saturday afternoon. Of the 72 players who made the cut, only 19 had recorded scores in the third round when play was halted. Play was then officially called for the day at 6:19 p.m. MT.
The third round will resume at 6:45 a.m. MT on Sunday morning. When the third round is complete, the USGA will not re-pair the groups. Instead the groups will remain in the same threesomes for the fourth round in hopes of completing the tournament on Sunday.
The third round will resume at 6:45 a.m. MT on Sunday morning. When the third round is complete, the USGA will not re-pair the groups. Instead the groups will remain in the same threesomes for the fourth round in hopes of completing the tournament on Sunday.
Miyazato is playing in her third U.S. Women’s Open and her best finish in an Open was a T57 in 2009. Miyazato is one of four players who have posted top-10 finishes in the first two majors of 2011. Miyazato finished in a T8 at the Wegmans LPGA Championship two weeks ago and a T7 at the Kraft Nabisco Championship back in early April. The other three players to post top-10s in both majors so far this year are Yani Tseng (1st LPGA Championship, 2nd Kraft Nabisco), Stacy Lewis (T6 LPGA Championship, 1st Kraft Nabisco) and Morgan Pressel (2nd LPGA Championship, T3 Kraft Nabisco).
Difficult to go low: After 36 holes of play in this year’s U.S. Women’s Open, only five players are under par. A total of 72 players made the cut, which fell at 7-over-par 149. Due to the weather delays, the third round pairings will feature threesomes and will feature players going off the first and 10th tees.
Two is better than one: Miyazato was a popular name at the top of the U.S. Women’s Open leaderboard, as the final pairing for the third round will feature not one but two Miyazatos. Rolex Rankings No. 9 Ai Miyazato sits one shot behind Mika Miyazato after two rounds of the tournament. Ai Miyazato shot a 3-under 68 in the second round to put herself in the last group for the third round.
Although they share the same last name and both are from Okinawa, Japan, Mika and Ai are not related. But the two are good friends who have known each other since they were around the age of 10 and both were looking forward to the opportunity to play together in the leading group at a major championship.
“It's really fun to play with her always,” said Ai Miyazato. “And especially in this tournament. I’m really, really excited.”
Putting herself in position again: This is I.K. Kim’s fifth U.S. Women’s Open and after finishing in a T61 in her first Open back in 2007, she has recorded three straight top-5 finishes in the tournament (T3 in 2008 and 2009, 4th place in 2010). After two rounds of this year’s U.S. Women’s Open, Kim once again finds herself near the top of the leaderboard.
Following a second-round 69, Kim is 3-under-par for the tournament and sitting alone in third place, two strokes off the lead. Kim has just one bogey in her first 36 holes this week, which came on No. 15 in the second round.
Rookie pro Jean Chua’s preparation for this year’s U.S. Women’s Open Championship began last year at the 2010 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. An amateur at the time, Chua was paired with Cristie Kerr and Laura Davies for one round and carded a 3-under 68 that day.
“Now when I see the well-known players, I feel more comfortable,” said Chua, 23, of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. “That’s a nice feeling.”
The LPGA Futures Tour rookie and former Wake Forest University collegian carded rounds of 77-69 to make the Open’s 36-hole cut at 2-under 146. Playing in her first Women’s Open, Chua said she was relieved when the second round was suspended on Friday.
With weather delays backing up play for the last two days, Chua sat around for most of the day on Friday waiting to play, and when she finally got out on the course, she bogeyed the first hole. The second round was suspended for lightning, and then for darkness on Friday, bringing Chua back to the course to complete her second round this morning.
“I was happy because I got to start over again today,” said Chua, who is one of six former Wake Forest players on the Futures Tour this year.
Chua got off to a hot start in her second round this morning, rolling in birdies on her first two holes. She bogeyed No. 10 today, but answered with a birdie from six feet on No. 16 and added another birdie from six feet on the 18th.
“I tried not to think about the cut and to just come out here and play good golf,” said Chua. “I’ll try to keep doing the same thing. Be patient. Take the pars and remember that pars are good.”
Don’t ignore the Mountain: LPGA Futures Tour rookie Sue Kim of British Columbia learned pretty quickly this week to pay attention to which way the greens break. And everybody in the field of the U.S. Women’s Open learned in their practice rounds that putts typically break away from Cheyenne Mountain and the Will Rogers shrine bordering The Broadmoor course.
“It’s funny because you can see all the players looking up at the mountain during the round and somebody even asked me, ‘Why do you keep looking at that mountain?’” laughed the Canadian. “I told them because I wanted to make my putt.”
Eight Futures Tour Players make cut: Nineteen members of the LPGA Futures Tour started the week at the U.S. Women’s Open Championship. But after the 36-hole cut, eight players will move into the final-two rounds.
Three-time Futures Tour winner Ryann O’Toole of San Clemente, Calif., climbed into a tie for fourth after 36 holes at one-under 141, while rookie pro Lizette Salas of Azusa, Calif., is tied for sixth at even-par 142.
Jean Chua of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is tied for 27th at 4-over 146, followed by Alison Walshe of Westford, Mass., Sue Kim of British Columbia, Canada, and Harukyo Nomura of Japan, all tied for 36th at 5-over 147.
Second-year pro Jennifer Johnson of Carlsbad, Calif., who is also an LPGA rookie, and Paola Moreno of Cali, Colombia, are tied for 57th at 7-over 149.
Of the LPGA Futures Tour players who have made the two-day cut, three are tournament winners. O’Toole and Nomura are tournament winners in 2011. O’Toole, who played collegiately at UCLA, won twice in 2010, and Moreno, who played at the University of Southern California, also won a Futures Tour event in 2010.
Play was actually suspended twice on Friday. For the second straight day, storms resulted in a delay in tournament action as play was suspended at 6:09 p.m. MT on Friday due to inclement weather. Play then resumed at 7:15 p.m. after a delay of a little over an hour and then darkness forced second-round play to continue on Saturday.
A total of 33 golfers completed the second round while 66 golfers have yet to tee off for the second round, including Anderson who sits two shot back of Kim after shooting a 2-under 69 in the first round. The current leaders in the clubhouse are Lizette Salas and Angela Stanford, who are both at even-par after two rounds of play.
First-round leader Stacy Lewis sat atop the leaderboard at 4-under-par when play was initially suspended for weather on Friday. She moved to 5-under-par with a birdie on the par-3 12th when play resumed after the delay, but a bogey on No. 14 and a double bogey on No. 15 dropped her back to 2-under. That’s where she sat through 16 holes when play was halted for the day.
Lewis shot a 3-under 68 during her first round on Friday morning to take a one-shot lead, albeit a short-lived one since she had only a short break before teeing off for the second round. The former University of Arkansas golfer is trying to become the first American to win two majors in the same season since 1999 when Juli Inkster won the U.S. Women’s Open and the LPGA Championship. Lewis became a Rolex First-Time Winner and captured her first major at the 2011 Kraft Nabisco Championship back in early April.
Making a run: Wendy Ward had one of the best rounds going when second-round play was halted. Ward was 4-under through 15 holes in her second round and sits two shots back of the leader Kim. Ward has four birdies and no bogeys so far in her second round.
A four-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Ward has yet to win a major championship. Ward’s best finish in a major was a tie for third at the LPGA Championship, which she accomplished twice – in 2000 and 2001.
Watch out for the elevation: Players heard the stories before they got here at The Broadmoor for this year’s U.S. Women’s Open. First, the course is set for a yardage of 7,047 yards and the Colorado Springs altitude could potentially create havoc with club selection. Colorado’s second-largest city has an elevation of 6,035 feet above sea level.
Secondly, with bell chimes echoing throughout the course from the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun, located on Cheyenne Mountain overlooking The Broadmoor, word on the links was that all putts break away from the mountain.
So how seriously did players take heed?
“On every green, I walk up and find out where the statue is and I factor that in to determine where my putts will break,” said LPGA Futures Tour member Ashley Prange of Indiana. “I find it to be true.”
LPGA Tour member Nicole Hage of Florida consulted tour veterans Beth Daniel and Meg Mallon, who nearly won the Open here in 1995, about the legend of putts breaking away from the mountain. Hage was told there’s something to the story.
“It kind of makes sense because when you look at the course, everything is tilted away from the mountain,” said Hage.
Hage is also one of the LPGA’s longest hitters, so she was curious how her ball flight would be affected this week. Normally averaging around 280 off the tee, Hage had one drive in the first round that rocketed 330 yards.
“I hit it high, so I definitely got a few launchers out there,” said Hage, who estimates she is hitting the ball seven percent farther than normal.
Another long-hitting bomber on both the LPGA and LPGA Futures Tour is Ryann O’Toole of California, who averages around 280.5 yards off the tee. When asked how the elevation this week affects play, O’Toole said she feels fortunate because she also has a high ball flight.
“If you don’t hit it high and you don’t hit it far, you don’t go anywhere out here,” she said. “Trajectory is huge. The higher you hit it, the farther it goes.”
Hoping for a little symmetry: LPGA player Jimin Kang was looking at the sky right after play was suspended for lightning at 6:09 p.m. Kang was bummed because she liked her tee time for today’s second round.
“Yesterday, my tee time was at 7:11 a.m., and today, it was supposed to be 7:11 p.m.,” said Kang.
MIKA MIYAZATO, Rolex Rankings No. 24
THE MODERATOR: It is our pleasure to welcome Mika Miyazato to the interview room. She had a round of 4 under par, 67 today in the second round. Mika, maybe you can just start us off with general comments about your fine play today.
MIKA MIYAZATO: I'm so happy to be here. So I play so well today. Like fairway tee shot is almost hole fairway like green regulation is like 18 14 or 18, so like putting so well like 27 putt, so almost perfect.
THE MODERATOR: You must like the golf course here. Do you think the golf course here suits your game well?
MIKA MIYAZATO: Well, like my play is so well, like so aggressive golf today. Yes.
Q. Tell us how you learned the game of golf and how you became so good.
MIKA MIYAZATO: I play start to golf like 18 years old. So grow up is Okinawa in Japan. So I came to U.S. like three years ago. I practice with IMG Academy now, so...
Q. A couple of Ai Miyazato questions for you right now. Are you often confused with Ai? Do people think you're her? Do people think you're sisters?
MIKA MIYAZATO: Everybody ask me. (Through translation.)
THE INTERPRETER: Everybody thinks we're sisters. I think that way everybody could remember me, because Ai is playing great. In a way it's good for me because everybody think we're sisters and they could remember me. But we're not related.
Q. How do you feel about leading the championship right now?
MIKA MIYAZATO: I can't believe still, so I'm a little bit nervous but so excited.
Q. It's only after two rounds, but does it feel like three rounds?
MIKA MIYAZATO: Yes, it is. I played like one hole yesterday, so back to hotel. A little bit boring, so... But it's I think did good time yesterday, so ready today or tomorrow.
Q. How are the relief efforts going back home? You're trying to raise money to help Japan, aren't you?
MIKA MIYAZATO: Yes.
THE INTERPRETER: Yes, I decided to donate all my earnings from the major tournaments on the Japanese tour and the U.S. LPGA Tour, so whatever earnings I make from the major tournaments I will donate to the Red Cross.
MIKA MIYAZATO: Yes.
Q. When you said it was really boring only getting to play one hole yesterday, what did you do in that downtime?
MIKA MIYAZATO: I went at the hotel yesterday, three hours a nap, then eat lunch and back to hotel again. Use Internet. Then came to the golf course, but delay, so...
THE INTERPRETER: Kind of a rest day.
Q. Donating from the majors, has that been the whole year? So from the LPGA Championship, the Kraft Nabisco, this one, and then also the Japanese Women's Open, money from all of those?
MIKA MIYAZATO: Yeah, for British Open, too.
THE INTERPRETER: She also played the Salonpas World Ladies, which is one of the major tournaments back in her home tour, so that money will be donated, as well.
Q. Are you the only one donating these prizes, or is someone else joining in that effort?
MIKA MIYAZATO: I don't know.
Q. What is the strongest part of your golf game, and what parts do you think you need to improve on?
MIKA MIYAZATO: I think confidence like iron shot, like my golf style is very aggressive golf. And shorter game is very well now.
THE INTERPRETER: I would like to focus more on the short game and putting. I think I have much room to develop on that area.
Q. When you say you like to play aggressively, could you tell us about that? Do you go hard after pins? How do you mean aggressively?
MIKA MIYAZATO: Sometimes go for hit pin, but like this week is a little bit different. (Through translation.)
THE INTERPRETER: At the U.S. Women's Open, I think just going for the green sometimes requires very aggressive shots. So for me, just sometimes it might be aiming at the pin or just aiming for the green, middle of the green, it's aggressive for me.
Q. Do you play like a Phil Mickelson normally?
MIKA MIYAZATO: I don't think so. (Laughter.)
Q. As far as liking to gamble and take risks.
THE INTERPRETER: It depends on the situation. Sometimes I might just take the safe side, but whenever I have a chance, I'm pretty aggressive at it.
THE MODERATOR: You had five birdies on your card second round. Could you walk us through those holes, club selection and yardage and putts.
MIKA MIYAZATO: No. 3 I hit 110 yards, like I use 9 iron. I don't know if meter is okay.
THE MODERATOR: It's fine.
MIKA MIYAZATO: Like six meter, and No 4 hole I used the 7 iron, like two meter. And No. 5 is 160, 165. I use a 6 iron like same as two meter. No. 9 was like 73. I use 52 degree wedge like one meter. No. 10 is like second shot was 170 yard. I use a 5 iron, like three meter.
Q. Ai just made a birdie on 18 just before, so maybe you have a chance to be last group with Ai. So do you think it will helpful or give you pressure?
THE INTERPRETER: I'll be really glad to play with Ai tomorrow. We are both from Okinawa. Obviously we're good friends, and I think she's a great player. Playing together should be good for both of us. I'm looking forward to it.
AI MIYAZATO, Rolex Rankings No. 9
Q. Ai, can you talk about your finish? You had a couple birdies coming in.
AI MIYAZATO: 17 I made birdie. Third shot was a 9 iron, and I hit into like five meter on the left side of the pin and I made birdie. And 18 was hit 6 iron on the second shot and I made seven meter birdie putt.
Q. Right before you got on your birdie run, Cristie had had made a few also. Did that help rally you seeing her get on a run?
AI MIYAZATO: Yeah, it was really nice to play with them. Cristie play really well, and Karrie played also really well. So it was a nice atmosphere.
Q. Are you related to Mika Miyazato?
AI MIYAZATO: No, but she's from Okinawa, too. That's where I'm from, so Miyazato is pretty common name in Okinawa.
Q. Are you guys friends?
AI MIYAZATO: Yes, I know her since she was like 10 years old. We know each other long time.
Q. You are both right there at the top.
AI MIYAZATO: Yeah. It's really fun to play with her always. And especially in this tournament. It's really, really excited.
Q. How are you handling the course? Have you hit most of the fairways today? Do you know how many you hit?
AI MIYAZATO: Well, I missed a few fairways today, but I got really good up and down like almost five times today. So that's why I think the few birdies coming in towards the end, because I got really good patient during the round. But it's really, really tough to play. I'm kinda tired already.
Q. You'll tee off around 3:00; what do you do now?
AI MIYAZATO: I don't know about the tee time next, so I don't know. Just nice and easy and take a little break and ready to next round.
Q. Is it frustrating to have to stop playing after you had kind of gotten hot there at the end?
AI MIYAZATO: Not really. It happens all the time on the LPGA Tour. I'm used to it.
Q. How much of your winnings from this tournament and other tournaments are you donating to the Japan relief efforts? And is doing well in tournaments like this one a motivating factor for you to play well?
AI MIYAZATO: Oh, I don't have a plan with that yet, because I still need to focus my game. So I will think about it after this tournament.
Q. Does it motivate you to play well?
AI MIYAZATO: Oh, yeah, definitely. Yes.
I.K. KIM, Rolex Rankings No. 7
Q. Kind of a sits and starts couple of days for you, but right now you're sitting at the top of the leaderboard of the Women's Open. How did that happen? What did you do?
I.K. KIM: I don't know. Um, first time ever, actually. I'm very excited about, you know, leading the tournament. But, I mean, you know, I have been close couple times last couple years, and I think I've learned a lot from it. It's been a great week, you know. I don't feel like it's Saturday. I don't know really, but I'm excited.
Q. How about your play? What has it been that's gotten you to the under par?
I.K. KIM: What do you think? (Laughing.) Well, you got to hit the fairways and greens and put it in the right spot actually on the greens because there are some mountain. You know, you have to give yourself uphill rather than downhill with the tons of break.So I think I did that pretty well. Lag putting has been working really good.
Q. A lot of people talk about the difficulty of the greens here. Is that the most challenging part of the golf course for you?
I.K. KIM: Definitely, because it doesn't look quite right sometimes. But you've got to really keep in mind with the mountain, you know, so it definitely breaks more sometimes. I think definitely every green. So uphills are really slow, and downhills is just maybe you don't have any chance.So you really gotta play the course rather than, you know, play too aggressive.
Q. Is this course any more difficult because of the mountain and also because you played at an altitude and you have to gauge your shots differently because of the altitude?
I.K. KIM: Definitely. There is a lot of numbers, actually. When you talk to caddie, you know, we have to add everything. So it's definitely difficult, but it's flying farther than you know, I normally play in San Diego and it always doesn't fly as far. But here it flies forever, so you really gotta be careful what your carry number is.
Q. You were talking about being in contention at previous Opens. You've also in previous Opens had to deal with the weather. Is that to be expected, it seems like?
I.K. KIM: Oh, USGA makes it really tough for all of us. It's already tough out there. But weather, I mean, you can't really control, but you really gotta play, you know, with what we get.But I think we have done pretty well. We still got one more round to go today, but I think yesterday did a pretty good job of getting the players out of it safe and everything.
Q. Did you prefer to get up at 7:00 a.m. today or come back on Monday?
I.K. KIM: Get up at 7:00? I got up at 4:30, actually. No more.
Q. You're gonna have six or seven hours off now again. What will you do? How far in front of your tee time will you come back out and start working?
I.K. KIM: Um, well, I just got new iPad, so I'm pretty excited. I have plenty of time to play games and everything. So I'm not worried. I will definitely do some power nap this afternoon before I go out.
STACY LEWIS, Rolex Rankings No. 15
Q. Obviously wasn't the finish you wanted in the second round.
STACY LEWIS: Yeah.
Q. You're still sitting, you know, close to the top.
STACY LEWIS: Yeah, I'm pretty disappointed with the way I played the last five or six holes. It was playing hard. I just didn't hit any fairways. My caddie told me, he's like, You're in it; we still got two more days. Well, two more rounds. Who knows how many more days it will be. But we got two more rounds, and you're still right there.
Q. That had to be one of the craziest rounds of your life, 14 hours, I think.
STACY LEWIS: Uh huh, yeah.
Q. How would you sum it up?
STACY LEWIS: Exhausting. I mean, I felt awful last night. I didn't feel much better when I woke up. It was just really tiring to me. I've played 36 holes, but not on a golf course like this. It was tough, and I hope the second wave gets what we did today.
Q. You said it was hard on you, especially with your back situation. How were you this morning?
STACY LEWIS: It was better than I felt last night, for sure. Still kinda sore, but I've got some time to work on it and get it loosened it up. Playing 36 holes and sitting on the bus for an hour isn't good for my back.
Q. U.S. Opens are exasperating. Does this compound what you guys are going through?
STACY LEWIS: Yeah, it's hard enough to play the golf course 18 holes. You're having just to keep that focus we were out on the golf course for almost 12 hours. To keep that focus that long is tough.
RYANN O’TOOLE, Rolex Rankings No. 172
Q. You started your round at which hole today?
RYANN O'TOOLE: Hole 6. Yeah, and 2 over for the round, even for the day.
Q. How was it out there, getting up early and the quick turnaround? Talk about that.
RYANN O'TOOLE: I said to my caddie right before I teed off, My body is tired. I think I had six hours of sleep, just enough to kind of get yourself just tell yourself one hour and then you'll be done and go take a nap and hang out. We're not going to be going out till this afternoon, so we'll have time.
Q. People talk about a long day, but in college you were playing 36 hole rounds.
RYANN O'TOOLE: No, in college they got rid of it. When I went into school they got rid of the 36 hole tournaments. Only time we ever played 36 was whether you made it match play in amateur events and you made it down to like Sweet 16, Top 8, or for U.S. Open qualifier. I mean, and half the time I'm thinking when they have the qualifier, God, why are they doing 36 in one day? Well, it pays off.
Q. Now, are you a full exempt status?
RYANN O'TOOLE: No, I took seventh on the Money List on the Futures Tour last year, my first year out, and then I played my first event in Alabama and got into the reshuffle. So that put me up on the list as far as conditional status goes. I've just been trying to climb the Money List now.
Q. You've won three times on the Futures Tour.
RYANN O'TOOLE: Right.
Q. Talk about winning and what that does for you?
RYANN O'TOOLE: I think winning kind of propels you. It kind of just gives you the confidence that need to move on. For me, it's always been a building block. So I played college; college was a growing period for me; Futures Tour; then it's like, okay, I learned to win out here. I know I can compete and being on top out here. It's time to go to the next level. I felt like I didn't skip anything.
So winning out there just kind of shows you, okay, this is the feeling, this is what it takes. You know, now it's the last few events that I've played on the LPGA this year I've played five or four, so this will be my fifth it's just, you know, what's the difference? What does it take to win out here? What mistakes can't you make? How do you have to handle the situation? Learning how the field moves on the Saturday and Sunday and, you know, when can you make a move? So it's just different things that you have to kind of figure out.
Q. What's the biggest difference between Futures Tour and the LPGA?
RYANN O'TOOLE: I think the Futures Tour is very top heavy as far as I mean, the percentage is a lot smaller than out here. There is a lot of great players out there, but it's night and day between those that finish top 20 and those that miss the cut. I think out here you have a lot of girls that are all playing at the same level, and you have 70 girls that can shoot low any time.So I think that that's a huge difference. Not only that, is the top 30 in the world, you can guarantee great rounds out of 'em.
Q. Are you surprised where you are on the leaderboard?
RYANN O'TOOLE: No. I know that I work hard and that I've come a long way in my game. I knew that this course coming out here on Monday and Tuesday just set up great for me, and that all I could really do is keep my nerves under control and just play my game. I think by doing that, I'm you know, I'm bummed that I'm my coach is on the bag, he just says, he's like, You're tied for third. Like, relax. I'm like, No, I want to be No. 1. So I'm a little angry that I let some go, but there's still two rounds left.
Q. You made a bogey on your first hole today.
RYANN O'TOOLE: No, I started on 6. I parred 6; birdied 7; parred 8 and 9. But I had a three footer on 6 for birdie and a five footer on 8 for birdie that I missed both. And I three putted No. 9, but... My putt on 9 was quite snakey, so I'm gonna let that one go.
Q. How did The Big Break affect your career? Good, bad, indifferent?
RYANN O'TOOLE: I think The Big Break was a great experience. I try to actually tell a lot of girls, Do it. Sign up for it. It's two weeks of your life that actually will end up changing it.Not only does it provide you fans that come out and support you and know your face. And I think, you know, as a rookie and trying to get your name out there especially when you're around Paula Creamer, Yani, all the crowd's cheering their name, but when they recognize you and ask for your autograph, it just kind of builds you up, you know, and makes you feel important.
The Big Break also just taught you how to hit shots in a moment. I mean, perfect example. When you get called off to go back out, it's like, Hey, I remember this. I mean, I warmed up on The Big Break, had to sit for 45 minutes until the camera crew got ready, and then I got to hit one shot. So it's just how do you handle situations where you go from resting to I have to perform.
Q. How far along in the show did you get? I mean, were you...
RYANN O'TOOLE: I only made it halfway through. I mean, I kind of look at it like that show Survivor where not always the best player makes it. But it's a game. You know, things happen. It's golf, so...
Q. They shot it in 2009?
RYANN O'TOOLE: Yes, 2000 no, last year, I believe. Yeah, last year. 2010.
Q. Did you make some friends out of that whole experience?
RYANN O'TOOLE: I knew half of them, and then the other half I didn't know I did make some good friends. We keep in contact, we joke a lot. To be honest, I never watched the show before, and once I was on it, I watched it. Then I have had friends since been on it, and this one coming up they just announced, I have a couple friends on that.So I'm curious to watch, because you know all the secrets behind the scenes now. It's just fun. Something different.
Q. Did you make any enemies?
RYANN O'TOOLE: No, I didn't make any enemies. I don't think I came off as I'm gonna say the mean person. I was just a little competitive. So it worked.
Q. From your answers, you're probably of the mindset that your youth would be an advantage here at the Women's Open because you are confident in what you're doing, you don't have the experience of exactly what's out there, so you're just kind of go.
RYANN O'TOOLE: Correct.
Q. As opposed to someone who has played in the Women's Open before and can say, Okay, now I know who you to deal with this experience, I can handle it. Do you think that's an accurate statement?
RYANN O'TOOLE: Um, yeah, I mean, I think for me it's a big learning experience rather than someone who has been out here for a few years and feels the pressure and knows what it takes. But at the same time, you listen and collect from what people have said. You learn from other tournaments. I mean, pressure is pressure. I mean, it might be a little bit greater. It's definitely calmed down. I can't tell you how it's gonna feel on the last round.
But at the same time, you're giving it all you got and you're taking one shot at a time, and I think you're only going to hinder yourself if you let the stuff that doesn't matter get to you. I mean, there are a few times out there I look at my caddie and I'm like, All right, I don't have good thoughts going into this hole. Can you redirect me? Something like that. Just trying to regurgitate every thought that comes off my head to get it out and open. It helped. I ended up stuffing it or making the putt.
So there are certain ways you can really learn. It's just I think Amy Alcott called me the other night and left a message. I have to call her back this afternoon. I think she wanted to give me insight. I'm curious what she wants to tell me, and especially being a veteran and having won and all her great success. I'm kind of excited to hear what she has to say.
Q. What's your relationship with her?
RYANN O'TOOLE: She plays out at Riviera County Club. I live only a couple miles from there. I play out there a couple times a year. I met her a couple months ago. I've seen her out there a few times. We chatted a couple months ago and told her my status and where I'm playing out here and trying to make it.So I was surprised when I got a note on my locker saying that she called and wishing me luck and to give her a call back. Shows that she is watching and she cares for the rookies, which is cool.
PAULA CREAMER, Rolex Rankings No. 8
Q. Could you just sum up where you're at, how it's going so far?
PAULA CREAMER: You know, I finished the first two days even. Yesterday was a long day. I wish I could have finished. I think that would have been a huge advantage, but, you know, I didn't unfortunately.
I came out, hit a great shot on 8 to about 15, 18 feet. I three putted and left it about three feet short. No. 9, I made about a 10 footer for par. So it goes both ways. But, you know, it's tough. It's a fast turnaround. I think we were out here 13 hours playing golf. That's a lot of golf, especially on this golf course. It's a long walk. But I feel really good. I feel very confident. I'm going to go back and get some rest, probably come back in a little bit and do a little bit of practice, and then get ready again for the afternoon.
Q. Just your last nine holes took like 14 hours with the weather delay, a night's sleep. Can you just talk about how that affects the rhythm of your round?
PAULA CREAMER: It's tough. I mean, it's always hard when you have to come back, and especially with the restart at 7:00. That's a lot, considering we were out there playing, you know, 34 holes. At least move it back a little bit so we could have some rest. But I understand, I mean, trying to get everybody in, and it's kind of the luck of the draw, as you could say.
Q. Opens are exasperating as it is. How much does it compound it, and how much does that become a part of the test, these delays and the frustrations?
PAULA CREAMER: Oh, this is all of it. You either are above it and move on are and you just kind of accept that this is what it is, or you dwell about it and let it get to yourself, and, you know, affect your game out there. That's something that I guess I've kind of been lucky where I've been in every Open with a delay, so I know what to expect and I know how to handle it. It's just really, you know, when you're not playing to just get home, go away from it and put your feet up.
You know, mentally you have to be ready to come out and know that they're gonna be long days. Opens are just so hard just playing golf out here. But there are so many other elements and, you know, variables that are part of it that you do have to realize.
Q. You have to feel good about the position you've put yourself in to defend. Can you talk about how things change over the next 36 holes for everyone?
PAULA CREAMER: No, I'm very pleased. I mean, even par, if somebody said, Would you take even par after two days? Yeah, I would. I would sit in my house. Butthat's golf, and I have two more days left. I have to still control. I can only control what I can do out there. I know there are some things that I can get better on, but I have a lot of confidence. I feel really positive out there. And, you know, like I keep saying, I want that trophy back. This is something that I really want, and I'm trying my ultimate, my hardest that I can possibly try.
Q. Could you just talk about the Yani pairing and just how that worked out for the first two rounds?
PAULA CREAMER: Well, it was good. You know, Yani is by far one of the longest players out on tour. I knew that going into this. So I tried you know, I had to not try and kill every shot that I had, because there was no point in that. But it was good playing with Yani. I think that right now I've said it a couple times also that she's the one to beat.
She hasn't quite had her two days that she's wanted, but I'm sure she's gonna come back on the weekend. You know, you take who you play with, and to be paired with No. 1 player in the world is something that you want every time.
WENDY WARD, Rolex Rankings No. 100
WENDY WARD: We thought we could take a little more aggressive line. I hit it right where I wanted to, and just being a little early and little breeze it didn't quite carry. I had to play a whole lot differently than I had practiced. I didn't really do a whole lot wrong. I did enough wrong to make a double, but, you know, hit my putt out of the fringe. Didn't come out like I thought it would and hit a good second putt. So minimize the mistakes. That's what we're all about.
Q. You're a veteran of the Women's Open. Three shots from the lead after two rounds, that's where it sits right now, with I.K. being 3 under. So you're still within striking distance.
WENDY WARD: Yeah, I mean, U.S. Open is about trying to minimize mistakes and, you know, just kind of maintain your position, try not to make the big numbers. That was a little unfortunate at the end right there, and I'm going to home to get some rest and come back later this afternoon.
KARRIE WEBB, Rolex Rankings No. 10
KARRIE WEBB: Probably the worst round I could have turned in. I had a lot of opportunities on the front nine that I didn't take advantage of. I didn't have easy putts, but, yeah, it would have been nice to make a couple more. I missed a few greens on the back nine, so it was a bit of a struggle. You know, a little disappointed with shooting 2 over with the way I started today. But, you know, I'm still not out of it, and I have a lot of golf to go.
Q. Do you like where you're standing right now?
KARRIE WEBB: I would have liked to have been a couple shots better. But, you know, it's not out of it. You know, I didn't shoot myself in the foot too much. I've still got I mean, it's gonna be a long weekend, so, you know, it's hard to tell what's gonna win. I've just gotta keep going out there and shooting as well as I can.
Q. How much does experience take over when you get to the final, you know, on the weekend, the final two rounds, and those who have been here handling the pressure, does experience count for a lot?
KARRIE WEBB: I think it does sometimes if you listen to the voice of experience. I think sometimes you can be a rookie in many ways, because, you know, you start pressing when you don't need to. I've done that many times at the U.S. Open. I've handled it well at the U.S. Open. So, you know, I've just got to keep my calm and, you know, keep giving myself the opportunities, and hopefully the putts will drop
YANI TSENG, Rolex Rankings No. 1
Q. Can you assess your play through two rounds?
YANI TSENG: Very disappointed. I just didn’t play well. I’m a little upset. But there are still two more days and I think I am sitting in a pretty good position. I still have a very good chance. I just need to make more birdies out there. I am looking forward to playing the other two rounds.
Q. Is there something about the course that is making it tough out there for you, or are your problems more self-inflicted?
YANI TSENG: I did both. Something I did wrong is I didn’t get good yardage. I didn’t putt well, but the greens are very, very tricky, so it’s hard to read the greens. I putt much better in round two, so I have lots of confidence for the next two rounds, as well.
Q. What do you think you need to do to get back in contention?
YANI TSENG: Keep playing aggressive, focus on one shot at a time and just have fun.
MICHELLE WIE, Rolex Rankings No. 11
Q. That final putt looks like it will be a big one to get you into the weekend.
MICHELLE WIE: Hopefully.
Q. Could you talk about that, and were you aware what it meant?
MICHELLE WIE: I think I live my life too difficultly. I mean, but, you know, I felt really good. Just kinda what I needed, and hopefully will be good enough.I'm really proud of myself for making it. Um, if I don't make it,I'll end it on a good note. Hopefully I will, and hopefully I play a lot better this weekend.
Q. What did you hit in and how long was that putt?
MICHELLE WIE: I hit a 9 iron, and the putt was about like 35 feet.
Q. Did you know you had to make birdie in order to make the projected cut line?
MICHELLE WIE: Well, I mean, not to put any pressure on me, but I was walking up to the 18th green and everyone was like, you have to make it to make the cut. I was like, Okay.
Q. You had a putt slip out on 17. You thought that thing was in?
MICHELLE WIE: I did so. But, you know, I hit some good putts out there. You know, a lot of putts in the middle that should have gone in. I missed a lot of short ones, as well. So hopefully I'm really hoping that this will get me enough to play the weekend. Hopefully I can just make a lot more birdies. I learned from my mistakes on Thursday, so I'm feeling good about it.
Q. Do you feel like making the projected cut gives you more life?
MICHELLE WIE: Well, you know, I don't really like being on the cut line much, but as of right now I'll take it. I'll take tied for 59 right now. If that gets me into the weekend, that's awesome. I'm just excited to be here. It's a great tournament. It will be honor to play on the weekend.
Q. Was it hard taking yourself out of it on Thursday? Did you feel you had to grind to just get out of Thursday?
MICHELLE WIE: Yeah, I mean, you know, I played Thursday, came back on Friday, played one hole, and had a day's rest. I have been thinking about today's round for a long time. So I'm glad I, you know, played decent today, and really happy I made that last putt. I can't emphasize that enough.
Q. You did a lot better on the greens today than Thursday. Did you work on your stroke yesterday?
MICHELLE WIE: Um, a little bit. Um, you know, I was just getting used to the mountains. Sometimes it doesn't look like it's going to be as slow or as fast, but it is. So I think just getting used to the golf course. I did work on, you know, my game a lot yesterday. I had a lot of downtime.
Q. What makes the 18th hole so difficult?
MICHELLE WIE: Um, you know, with this pin position, I mean, the way Se Ri and Inbee hit it didn't look like a difficult pin position, but it is. There's a quick dropoff behind it. Um, you just kind of want to get somewhere in the middle hoping it will bounce up.
Q. Is it the green that makes that hole so tough?
MICHELLE WIE: Um, I think it's everything. It's kind of like every hole, kind of hit the right part of the green. Kind of hard to get yourself a flat putt on that hole, which I think makes it difficult.
Q. Your first two rounds, what wasn't working and what did you fix?
MICHELLE WIE: Well, the strange thing is I hit a you know, the thing that was so frustrating for me that really kinda got me thinking is that I hit like 11 fairways on Thursday. I hit one straight in the middle of the fairway and I would make bogey from the middle of the fairway. You just can't really do that. So just kinda working on my iron play, just getting to the right part. Just kinda trying to not make bogeys. I think that's the main key at a major tournament where you have to kind of play a boring kind of round where you make par, par, par, make a birdie here, make a birdie there.
Q. Have the weather delays affected you?
MICHELLE WIE: My tee time was supposed to be at 7:55 p.m., so, you know, I was about to get ready. I put on sunscreen and I was coming out, and then I got a call from my caddie saying that we're not gonna play. So then I kind of sat in the front of the TV a little bit more. Then I got a call from him again saying we are gonna play at 8:30. I put on all my clothes with my cap and everything and then I got a call five minutes later saying we're not going to play. So it was kind of like iffy. Kinda ate dinner really early. Didn't really know what to do.
Q. Did you notice the course play any differently after the weather in between?
MICHELLE WIE: It doesn't seem like there was that much rain, so it's playing a lot firmer definitely.
Q. You know, how much is expected from you. As long as you're in school, is it too much to expect you to be at your highest level?
MICHELLE WIE: You know, I think that a lot of people have been talking about that recently. But, you know, going to school is definitely one of my biggest dreams. You know, going to Stanford getting an education there and getting my degree. But at the same time, I am a professional golfer and I am putting that as a priority even when I'm at school. If I have a choice between having is to study or having to practice, I choose to practice, you know.
It's something that it's my career, so that's especially important to me. But at the same time, I think getting an education is also important, as well. But, you know, I am trying my hardest. I'm not gonna say it's easy. I'm not gonna say going to school makes my life easier. But, you know, I'm trying my hardest, and I think I'm doing what I really want to do. If I quit now, I'm gonna regret it for the rest of my life.
THE MODERATOR: It is our pleasure to welcome Mika Miyazato to the interview room. She had a round of 4 under par, 67 today in the second round. Mika, maybe you can just start us off with general comments about your fine play today.
MIKA MIYAZATO: I'm so happy to be here. So I play so well today. Like fairway tee shot is almost hole fairway like green regulation is like 18 14 or 18, so like putting so well like 27 putt, so almost perfect.
THE MODERATOR: You must like the golf course here. Do you think the golf course here suits your game well?
MIKA MIYAZATO: Well, like my play is so well, like so aggressive golf today. Yes.
Q. Tell us how you learned the game of golf and how you became so good.
MIKA MIYAZATO: I play start to golf like 18 years old. So grow up is Okinawa in Japan. So I came to U.S. like three years ago. I practice with IMG Academy now, so...
Q. A couple of Ai Miyazato questions for you right now. Are you often confused with Ai? Do people think you're her? Do people think you're sisters?
MIKA MIYAZATO: Everybody ask me. (Through translation.)
THE INTERPRETER: Everybody thinks we're sisters. I think that way everybody could remember me, because Ai is playing great. In a way it's good for me because everybody think we're sisters and they could remember me. But we're not related.
Q. How do you feel about leading the championship right now?
MIKA MIYAZATO: I can't believe still, so I'm a little bit nervous but so excited.
Q. It's only after two rounds, but does it feel like three rounds?
MIKA MIYAZATO: Yes, it is. I played like one hole yesterday, so back to hotel. A little bit boring, so... But it's I think did good time yesterday, so ready today or tomorrow.
Q. How are the relief efforts going back home? You're trying to raise money to help Japan, aren't you?
MIKA MIYAZATO: Yes.
THE INTERPRETER: Yes, I decided to donate all my earnings from the major tournaments on the Japanese tour and the U.S. LPGA Tour, so whatever earnings I make from the major tournaments I will donate to the Red Cross.
MIKA MIYAZATO: Yes.
Q. When you said it was really boring only getting to play one hole yesterday, what did you do in that downtime?
MIKA MIYAZATO: I went at the hotel yesterday, three hours a nap, then eat lunch and back to hotel again. Use Internet. Then came to the golf course, but delay, so...
THE INTERPRETER: Kind of a rest day.
Q. Donating from the majors, has that been the whole year? So from the LPGA Championship, the Kraft Nabisco, this one, and then also the Japanese Women's Open, money from all of those?
MIKA MIYAZATO: Yeah, for British Open, too.
THE INTERPRETER: She also played the Salonpas World Ladies, which is one of the major tournaments back in her home tour, so that money will be donated, as well.
Q. Are you the only one donating these prizes, or is someone else joining in that effort?
MIKA MIYAZATO: I don't know.
Q. What is the strongest part of your golf game, and what parts do you think you need to improve on?
MIKA MIYAZATO: I think confidence like iron shot, like my golf style is very aggressive golf. And shorter game is very well now.
THE INTERPRETER: I would like to focus more on the short game and putting. I think I have much room to develop on that area.
Q. When you say you like to play aggressively, could you tell us about that? Do you go hard after pins? How do you mean aggressively?
MIKA MIYAZATO: Sometimes go for hit pin, but like this week is a little bit different. (Through translation.)
THE INTERPRETER: At the U.S. Women's Open, I think just going for the green sometimes requires very aggressive shots. So for me, just sometimes it might be aiming at the pin or just aiming for the green, middle of the green, it's aggressive for me.
Q. Do you play like a Phil Mickelson normally?
MIKA MIYAZATO: I don't think so. (Laughter.)
Q. As far as liking to gamble and take risks.
THE INTERPRETER: It depends on the situation. Sometimes I might just take the safe side, but whenever I have a chance, I'm pretty aggressive at it.
THE MODERATOR: You had five birdies on your card second round. Could you walk us through those holes, club selection and yardage and putts.
MIKA MIYAZATO: No. 3 I hit 110 yards, like I use 9 iron. I don't know if meter is okay.
THE MODERATOR: It's fine.
MIKA MIYAZATO: Like six meter, and No 4 hole I used the 7 iron, like two meter. And No. 5 is 160, 165. I use a 6 iron like same as two meter. No. 9 was like 73. I use 52 degree wedge like one meter. No. 10 is like second shot was 170 yard. I use a 5 iron, like three meter.
Q. Ai just made a birdie on 18 just before, so maybe you have a chance to be last group with Ai. So do you think it will helpful or give you pressure?
THE INTERPRETER: I'll be really glad to play with Ai tomorrow. We are both from Okinawa. Obviously we're good friends, and I think she's a great player. Playing together should be good for both of us. I'm looking forward to it.
AI MIYAZATO, Rolex Rankings No. 9
Q. Ai, can you talk about your finish? You had a couple birdies coming in.
AI MIYAZATO: 17 I made birdie. Third shot was a 9 iron, and I hit into like five meter on the left side of the pin and I made birdie. And 18 was hit 6 iron on the second shot and I made seven meter birdie putt.
Q. Right before you got on your birdie run, Cristie had had made a few also. Did that help rally you seeing her get on a run?
AI MIYAZATO: Yeah, it was really nice to play with them. Cristie play really well, and Karrie played also really well. So it was a nice atmosphere.
Q. Are you related to Mika Miyazato?
AI MIYAZATO: No, but she's from Okinawa, too. That's where I'm from, so Miyazato is pretty common name in Okinawa.
Q. Are you guys friends?
AI MIYAZATO: Yes, I know her since she was like 10 years old. We know each other long time.
Q. You are both right there at the top.
AI MIYAZATO: Yeah. It's really fun to play with her always. And especially in this tournament. It's really, really excited.
Q. How are you handling the course? Have you hit most of the fairways today? Do you know how many you hit?
AI MIYAZATO: Well, I missed a few fairways today, but I got really good up and down like almost five times today. So that's why I think the few birdies coming in towards the end, because I got really good patient during the round. But it's really, really tough to play. I'm kinda tired already.
Q. You'll tee off around 3:00; what do you do now?
AI MIYAZATO: I don't know about the tee time next, so I don't know. Just nice and easy and take a little break and ready to next round.
Q. Is it frustrating to have to stop playing after you had kind of gotten hot there at the end?
AI MIYAZATO: Not really. It happens all the time on the LPGA Tour. I'm used to it.
Q. How much of your winnings from this tournament and other tournaments are you donating to the Japan relief efforts? And is doing well in tournaments like this one a motivating factor for you to play well?
AI MIYAZATO: Oh, I don't have a plan with that yet, because I still need to focus my game. So I will think about it after this tournament.
Q. Does it motivate you to play well?
AI MIYAZATO: Oh, yeah, definitely. Yes.
I.K. KIM, Rolex Rankings No. 7
Q. Kind of a sits and starts couple of days for you, but right now you're sitting at the top of the leaderboard of the Women's Open. How did that happen? What did you do?
I.K. KIM: I don't know. Um, first time ever, actually. I'm very excited about, you know, leading the tournament. But, I mean, you know, I have been close couple times last couple years, and I think I've learned a lot from it. It's been a great week, you know. I don't feel like it's Saturday. I don't know really, but I'm excited.
Q. How about your play? What has it been that's gotten you to the under par?
I.K. KIM: What do you think? (Laughing.) Well, you got to hit the fairways and greens and put it in the right spot actually on the greens because there are some mountain. You know, you have to give yourself uphill rather than downhill with the tons of break.So I think I did that pretty well. Lag putting has been working really good.
Q. A lot of people talk about the difficulty of the greens here. Is that the most challenging part of the golf course for you?
I.K. KIM: Definitely, because it doesn't look quite right sometimes. But you've got to really keep in mind with the mountain, you know, so it definitely breaks more sometimes. I think definitely every green. So uphills are really slow, and downhills is just maybe you don't have any chance.So you really gotta play the course rather than, you know, play too aggressive.
Q. Is this course any more difficult because of the mountain and also because you played at an altitude and you have to gauge your shots differently because of the altitude?
I.K. KIM: Definitely. There is a lot of numbers, actually. When you talk to caddie, you know, we have to add everything. So it's definitely difficult, but it's flying farther than you know, I normally play in San Diego and it always doesn't fly as far. But here it flies forever, so you really gotta be careful what your carry number is.
Q. You were talking about being in contention at previous Opens. You've also in previous Opens had to deal with the weather. Is that to be expected, it seems like?
I.K. KIM: Oh, USGA makes it really tough for all of us. It's already tough out there. But weather, I mean, you can't really control, but you really gotta play, you know, with what we get.But I think we have done pretty well. We still got one more round to go today, but I think yesterday did a pretty good job of getting the players out of it safe and everything.
Q. Did you prefer to get up at 7:00 a.m. today or come back on Monday?
I.K. KIM: Get up at 7:00? I got up at 4:30, actually. No more.
Q. You're gonna have six or seven hours off now again. What will you do? How far in front of your tee time will you come back out and start working?
I.K. KIM: Um, well, I just got new iPad, so I'm pretty excited. I have plenty of time to play games and everything. So I'm not worried. I will definitely do some power nap this afternoon before I go out.
STACY LEWIS, Rolex Rankings No. 15
Q. Obviously wasn't the finish you wanted in the second round.
STACY LEWIS: Yeah.
Q. You're still sitting, you know, close to the top.
STACY LEWIS: Yeah, I'm pretty disappointed with the way I played the last five or six holes. It was playing hard. I just didn't hit any fairways. My caddie told me, he's like, You're in it; we still got two more days. Well, two more rounds. Who knows how many more days it will be. But we got two more rounds, and you're still right there.
Q. That had to be one of the craziest rounds of your life, 14 hours, I think.
STACY LEWIS: Uh huh, yeah.
Q. How would you sum it up?
STACY LEWIS: Exhausting. I mean, I felt awful last night. I didn't feel much better when I woke up. It was just really tiring to me. I've played 36 holes, but not on a golf course like this. It was tough, and I hope the second wave gets what we did today.
Q. You said it was hard on you, especially with your back situation. How were you this morning?
STACY LEWIS: It was better than I felt last night, for sure. Still kinda sore, but I've got some time to work on it and get it loosened it up. Playing 36 holes and sitting on the bus for an hour isn't good for my back.
Q. U.S. Opens are exasperating. Does this compound what you guys are going through?
STACY LEWIS: Yeah, it's hard enough to play the golf course 18 holes. You're having just to keep that focus we were out on the golf course for almost 12 hours. To keep that focus that long is tough.
RYANN O’TOOLE, Rolex Rankings No. 172
Q. You started your round at which hole today?
RYANN O'TOOLE: Hole 6. Yeah, and 2 over for the round, even for the day.
Q. How was it out there, getting up early and the quick turnaround? Talk about that.
RYANN O'TOOLE: I said to my caddie right before I teed off, My body is tired. I think I had six hours of sleep, just enough to kind of get yourself just tell yourself one hour and then you'll be done and go take a nap and hang out. We're not going to be going out till this afternoon, so we'll have time.
Q. People talk about a long day, but in college you were playing 36 hole rounds.
RYANN O'TOOLE: No, in college they got rid of it. When I went into school they got rid of the 36 hole tournaments. Only time we ever played 36 was whether you made it match play in amateur events and you made it down to like Sweet 16, Top 8, or for U.S. Open qualifier. I mean, and half the time I'm thinking when they have the qualifier, God, why are they doing 36 in one day? Well, it pays off.
Q. Now, are you a full exempt status?
RYANN O'TOOLE: No, I took seventh on the Money List on the Futures Tour last year, my first year out, and then I played my first event in Alabama and got into the reshuffle. So that put me up on the list as far as conditional status goes. I've just been trying to climb the Money List now.
Q. You've won three times on the Futures Tour.
RYANN O'TOOLE: Right.
Q. Talk about winning and what that does for you?
RYANN O'TOOLE: I think winning kind of propels you. It kind of just gives you the confidence that need to move on. For me, it's always been a building block. So I played college; college was a growing period for me; Futures Tour; then it's like, okay, I learned to win out here. I know I can compete and being on top out here. It's time to go to the next level. I felt like I didn't skip anything.
So winning out there just kind of shows you, okay, this is the feeling, this is what it takes. You know, now it's the last few events that I've played on the LPGA this year I've played five or four, so this will be my fifth it's just, you know, what's the difference? What does it take to win out here? What mistakes can't you make? How do you have to handle the situation? Learning how the field moves on the Saturday and Sunday and, you know, when can you make a move? So it's just different things that you have to kind of figure out.
Q. What's the biggest difference between Futures Tour and the LPGA?
RYANN O'TOOLE: I think the Futures Tour is very top heavy as far as I mean, the percentage is a lot smaller than out here. There is a lot of great players out there, but it's night and day between those that finish top 20 and those that miss the cut. I think out here you have a lot of girls that are all playing at the same level, and you have 70 girls that can shoot low any time.So I think that that's a huge difference. Not only that, is the top 30 in the world, you can guarantee great rounds out of 'em.
Q. Are you surprised where you are on the leaderboard?
RYANN O'TOOLE: No. I know that I work hard and that I've come a long way in my game. I knew that this course coming out here on Monday and Tuesday just set up great for me, and that all I could really do is keep my nerves under control and just play my game. I think by doing that, I'm you know, I'm bummed that I'm my coach is on the bag, he just says, he's like, You're tied for third. Like, relax. I'm like, No, I want to be No. 1. So I'm a little angry that I let some go, but there's still two rounds left.
Q. You made a bogey on your first hole today.
RYANN O'TOOLE: No, I started on 6. I parred 6; birdied 7; parred 8 and 9. But I had a three footer on 6 for birdie and a five footer on 8 for birdie that I missed both. And I three putted No. 9, but... My putt on 9 was quite snakey, so I'm gonna let that one go.
Q. How did The Big Break affect your career? Good, bad, indifferent?
RYANN O'TOOLE: I think The Big Break was a great experience. I try to actually tell a lot of girls, Do it. Sign up for it. It's two weeks of your life that actually will end up changing it.Not only does it provide you fans that come out and support you and know your face. And I think, you know, as a rookie and trying to get your name out there especially when you're around Paula Creamer, Yani, all the crowd's cheering their name, but when they recognize you and ask for your autograph, it just kind of builds you up, you know, and makes you feel important.
The Big Break also just taught you how to hit shots in a moment. I mean, perfect example. When you get called off to go back out, it's like, Hey, I remember this. I mean, I warmed up on The Big Break, had to sit for 45 minutes until the camera crew got ready, and then I got to hit one shot. So it's just how do you handle situations where you go from resting to I have to perform.
Q. How far along in the show did you get? I mean, were you...
RYANN O'TOOLE: I only made it halfway through. I mean, I kind of look at it like that show Survivor where not always the best player makes it. But it's a game. You know, things happen. It's golf, so...
Q. They shot it in 2009?
RYANN O'TOOLE: Yes, 2000 no, last year, I believe. Yeah, last year. 2010.
Q. Did you make some friends out of that whole experience?
RYANN O'TOOLE: I knew half of them, and then the other half I didn't know I did make some good friends. We keep in contact, we joke a lot. To be honest, I never watched the show before, and once I was on it, I watched it. Then I have had friends since been on it, and this one coming up they just announced, I have a couple friends on that.So I'm curious to watch, because you know all the secrets behind the scenes now. It's just fun. Something different.
Q. Did you make any enemies?
RYANN O'TOOLE: No, I didn't make any enemies. I don't think I came off as I'm gonna say the mean person. I was just a little competitive. So it worked.
Q. From your answers, you're probably of the mindset that your youth would be an advantage here at the Women's Open because you are confident in what you're doing, you don't have the experience of exactly what's out there, so you're just kind of go.
RYANN O'TOOLE: Correct.
Q. As opposed to someone who has played in the Women's Open before and can say, Okay, now I know who you to deal with this experience, I can handle it. Do you think that's an accurate statement?
RYANN O'TOOLE: Um, yeah, I mean, I think for me it's a big learning experience rather than someone who has been out here for a few years and feels the pressure and knows what it takes. But at the same time, you listen and collect from what people have said. You learn from other tournaments. I mean, pressure is pressure. I mean, it might be a little bit greater. It's definitely calmed down. I can't tell you how it's gonna feel on the last round.
But at the same time, you're giving it all you got and you're taking one shot at a time, and I think you're only going to hinder yourself if you let the stuff that doesn't matter get to you. I mean, there are a few times out there I look at my caddie and I'm like, All right, I don't have good thoughts going into this hole. Can you redirect me? Something like that. Just trying to regurgitate every thought that comes off my head to get it out and open. It helped. I ended up stuffing it or making the putt.
So there are certain ways you can really learn. It's just I think Amy Alcott called me the other night and left a message. I have to call her back this afternoon. I think she wanted to give me insight. I'm curious what she wants to tell me, and especially being a veteran and having won and all her great success. I'm kind of excited to hear what she has to say.
Q. What's your relationship with her?
RYANN O'TOOLE: She plays out at Riviera County Club. I live only a couple miles from there. I play out there a couple times a year. I met her a couple months ago. I've seen her out there a few times. We chatted a couple months ago and told her my status and where I'm playing out here and trying to make it.So I was surprised when I got a note on my locker saying that she called and wishing me luck and to give her a call back. Shows that she is watching and she cares for the rookies, which is cool.
PAULA CREAMER, Rolex Rankings No. 8
Q. Could you just sum up where you're at, how it's going so far?
PAULA CREAMER: You know, I finished the first two days even. Yesterday was a long day. I wish I could have finished. I think that would have been a huge advantage, but, you know, I didn't unfortunately.
I came out, hit a great shot on 8 to about 15, 18 feet. I three putted and left it about three feet short. No. 9, I made about a 10 footer for par. So it goes both ways. But, you know, it's tough. It's a fast turnaround. I think we were out here 13 hours playing golf. That's a lot of golf, especially on this golf course. It's a long walk. But I feel really good. I feel very confident. I'm going to go back and get some rest, probably come back in a little bit and do a little bit of practice, and then get ready again for the afternoon.
Q. Just your last nine holes took like 14 hours with the weather delay, a night's sleep. Can you just talk about how that affects the rhythm of your round?
PAULA CREAMER: It's tough. I mean, it's always hard when you have to come back, and especially with the restart at 7:00. That's a lot, considering we were out there playing, you know, 34 holes. At least move it back a little bit so we could have some rest. But I understand, I mean, trying to get everybody in, and it's kind of the luck of the draw, as you could say.
Q. Opens are exasperating as it is. How much does it compound it, and how much does that become a part of the test, these delays and the frustrations?
PAULA CREAMER: Oh, this is all of it. You either are above it and move on are and you just kind of accept that this is what it is, or you dwell about it and let it get to yourself, and, you know, affect your game out there. That's something that I guess I've kind of been lucky where I've been in every Open with a delay, so I know what to expect and I know how to handle it. It's just really, you know, when you're not playing to just get home, go away from it and put your feet up.
You know, mentally you have to be ready to come out and know that they're gonna be long days. Opens are just so hard just playing golf out here. But there are so many other elements and, you know, variables that are part of it that you do have to realize.
Q. You have to feel good about the position you've put yourself in to defend. Can you talk about how things change over the next 36 holes for everyone?
PAULA CREAMER: No, I'm very pleased. I mean, even par, if somebody said, Would you take even par after two days? Yeah, I would. I would sit in my house. Butthat's golf, and I have two more days left. I have to still control. I can only control what I can do out there. I know there are some things that I can get better on, but I have a lot of confidence. I feel really positive out there. And, you know, like I keep saying, I want that trophy back. This is something that I really want, and I'm trying my ultimate, my hardest that I can possibly try.
Q. Could you just talk about the Yani pairing and just how that worked out for the first two rounds?
PAULA CREAMER: Well, it was good. You know, Yani is by far one of the longest players out on tour. I knew that going into this. So I tried you know, I had to not try and kill every shot that I had, because there was no point in that. But it was good playing with Yani. I think that right now I've said it a couple times also that she's the one to beat.
She hasn't quite had her two days that she's wanted, but I'm sure she's gonna come back on the weekend. You know, you take who you play with, and to be paired with No. 1 player in the world is something that you want every time.
WENDY WARD, Rolex Rankings No. 100
WENDY WARD: We thought we could take a little more aggressive line. I hit it right where I wanted to, and just being a little early and little breeze it didn't quite carry. I had to play a whole lot differently than I had practiced. I didn't really do a whole lot wrong. I did enough wrong to make a double, but, you know, hit my putt out of the fringe. Didn't come out like I thought it would and hit a good second putt. So minimize the mistakes. That's what we're all about.
Q. You're a veteran of the Women's Open. Three shots from the lead after two rounds, that's where it sits right now, with I.K. being 3 under. So you're still within striking distance.
WENDY WARD: Yeah, I mean, U.S. Open is about trying to minimize mistakes and, you know, just kind of maintain your position, try not to make the big numbers. That was a little unfortunate at the end right there, and I'm going to home to get some rest and come back later this afternoon.
KARRIE WEBB, Rolex Rankings No. 10
KARRIE WEBB: Probably the worst round I could have turned in. I had a lot of opportunities on the front nine that I didn't take advantage of. I didn't have easy putts, but, yeah, it would have been nice to make a couple more. I missed a few greens on the back nine, so it was a bit of a struggle. You know, a little disappointed with shooting 2 over with the way I started today. But, you know, I'm still not out of it, and I have a lot of golf to go.
Q. Do you like where you're standing right now?
KARRIE WEBB: I would have liked to have been a couple shots better. But, you know, it's not out of it. You know, I didn't shoot myself in the foot too much. I've still got I mean, it's gonna be a long weekend, so, you know, it's hard to tell what's gonna win. I've just gotta keep going out there and shooting as well as I can.
Q. How much does experience take over when you get to the final, you know, on the weekend, the final two rounds, and those who have been here handling the pressure, does experience count for a lot?
KARRIE WEBB: I think it does sometimes if you listen to the voice of experience. I think sometimes you can be a rookie in many ways, because, you know, you start pressing when you don't need to. I've done that many times at the U.S. Open. I've handled it well at the U.S. Open. So, you know, I've just got to keep my calm and, you know, keep giving myself the opportunities, and hopefully the putts will drop
YANI TSENG, Rolex Rankings No. 1
Q. Can you assess your play through two rounds?
YANI TSENG: Very disappointed. I just didn’t play well. I’m a little upset. But there are still two more days and I think I am sitting in a pretty good position. I still have a very good chance. I just need to make more birdies out there. I am looking forward to playing the other two rounds.
Q. Is there something about the course that is making it tough out there for you, or are your problems more self-inflicted?
YANI TSENG: I did both. Something I did wrong is I didn’t get good yardage. I didn’t putt well, but the greens are very, very tricky, so it’s hard to read the greens. I putt much better in round two, so I have lots of confidence for the next two rounds, as well.
Q. What do you think you need to do to get back in contention?
YANI TSENG: Keep playing aggressive, focus on one shot at a time and just have fun.
MICHELLE WIE, Rolex Rankings No. 11
Q. That final putt looks like it will be a big one to get you into the weekend.
MICHELLE WIE: Hopefully.
Q. Could you talk about that, and were you aware what it meant?
MICHELLE WIE: I think I live my life too difficultly. I mean, but, you know, I felt really good. Just kinda what I needed, and hopefully will be good enough.I'm really proud of myself for making it. Um, if I don't make it,I'll end it on a good note. Hopefully I will, and hopefully I play a lot better this weekend.
Q. What did you hit in and how long was that putt?
MICHELLE WIE: I hit a 9 iron, and the putt was about like 35 feet.
Q. Did you know you had to make birdie in order to make the projected cut line?
MICHELLE WIE: Well, I mean, not to put any pressure on me, but I was walking up to the 18th green and everyone was like, you have to make it to make the cut. I was like, Okay.
Q. You had a putt slip out on 17. You thought that thing was in?
MICHELLE WIE: I did so. But, you know, I hit some good putts out there. You know, a lot of putts in the middle that should have gone in. I missed a lot of short ones, as well. So hopefully I'm really hoping that this will get me enough to play the weekend. Hopefully I can just make a lot more birdies. I learned from my mistakes on Thursday, so I'm feeling good about it.
Q. Do you feel like making the projected cut gives you more life?
MICHELLE WIE: Well, you know, I don't really like being on the cut line much, but as of right now I'll take it. I'll take tied for 59 right now. If that gets me into the weekend, that's awesome. I'm just excited to be here. It's a great tournament. It will be honor to play on the weekend.
Q. Was it hard taking yourself out of it on Thursday? Did you feel you had to grind to just get out of Thursday?
MICHELLE WIE: Yeah, I mean, you know, I played Thursday, came back on Friday, played one hole, and had a day's rest. I have been thinking about today's round for a long time. So I'm glad I, you know, played decent today, and really happy I made that last putt. I can't emphasize that enough.
Q. You did a lot better on the greens today than Thursday. Did you work on your stroke yesterday?
MICHELLE WIE: Um, a little bit. Um, you know, I was just getting used to the mountains. Sometimes it doesn't look like it's going to be as slow or as fast, but it is. So I think just getting used to the golf course. I did work on, you know, my game a lot yesterday. I had a lot of downtime.
Q. What makes the 18th hole so difficult?
MICHELLE WIE: Um, you know, with this pin position, I mean, the way Se Ri and Inbee hit it didn't look like a difficult pin position, but it is. There's a quick dropoff behind it. Um, you just kind of want to get somewhere in the middle hoping it will bounce up.
Q. Is it the green that makes that hole so tough?
MICHELLE WIE: Um, I think it's everything. It's kind of like every hole, kind of hit the right part of the green. Kind of hard to get yourself a flat putt on that hole, which I think makes it difficult.
Q. Your first two rounds, what wasn't working and what did you fix?
MICHELLE WIE: Well, the strange thing is I hit a you know, the thing that was so frustrating for me that really kinda got me thinking is that I hit like 11 fairways on Thursday. I hit one straight in the middle of the fairway and I would make bogey from the middle of the fairway. You just can't really do that. So just kinda working on my iron play, just getting to the right part. Just kinda trying to not make bogeys. I think that's the main key at a major tournament where you have to kind of play a boring kind of round where you make par, par, par, make a birdie here, make a birdie there.
Q. Have the weather delays affected you?
MICHELLE WIE: My tee time was supposed to be at 7:55 p.m., so, you know, I was about to get ready. I put on sunscreen and I was coming out, and then I got a call from my caddie saying that we're not gonna play. So then I kind of sat in the front of the TV a little bit more. Then I got a call from him again saying we are gonna play at 8:30. I put on all my clothes with my cap and everything and then I got a call five minutes later saying we're not going to play. So it was kind of like iffy. Kinda ate dinner really early. Didn't really know what to do.
Q. Did you notice the course play any differently after the weather in between?
MICHELLE WIE: It doesn't seem like there was that much rain, so it's playing a lot firmer definitely.
Q. You know, how much is expected from you. As long as you're in school, is it too much to expect you to be at your highest level?
MICHELLE WIE: You know, I think that a lot of people have been talking about that recently. But, you know, going to school is definitely one of my biggest dreams. You know, going to Stanford getting an education there and getting my degree. But at the same time, I am a professional golfer and I am putting that as a priority even when I'm at school. If I have a choice between having is to study or having to practice, I choose to practice, you know.
It's something that it's my career, so that's especially important to me. But at the same time, I think getting an education is also important, as well. But, you know, I am trying my hardest. I'm not gonna say it's easy. I'm not gonna say going to school makes my life easier. But, you know, I'm trying my hardest, and I think I'm doing what I really want to do. If I quit now, I'm gonna regret it for the rest of my life.
I.K Kim, Rolex Rankings No. 7
Q. How many holes did you play today?
I had four holes left, so we did pretty good I think.
Q. Was there one thing you were doing better than others?
It was really everything. At the U.S. Open you don’t really go for the pins. You’ve got to be patient out there. There are only certain things you can take advantage of.
Q. You have had a lot of success at the U.S. Open, tied for fourth last year. Does the way the golf course is set up suit the way you play?
I like playing against all the top players. I just feel like I get better every time that I play in this tournament, and I really appreciate that.
PAULA CREAMER, Rolex Rankings No. 8
Q. Talk to me a little bit about today and how tough it was to get a couple rounds in.
PAULA CREAMER: It was a lot of golf. Tough golf course to walk. It takes a lot out of you playing I think 34 holes we had. But that's the way it is. And, you know, 6 it's like it is. Go out there and do as much as you can. Played pretty solid and had a lot of great shots, especially the second round. I have a really good swing thought going on in my head right now, and just try to keep it going.
Q. Good. I know you have two to finish tomorrow and another round. Mentally how do you prepare to finish and start and finish and start?
PAULA CREAMER: It was a lot of golf. Tough golf course to walk. It takes a lot out of you playing I think 34 holes we had. But that's the way it is. And, you know, 6 it's like it is. Go out there and do as much as you can. Played pretty solid and had a lot of great shots, especially the second round. I have a really good swing thought going on in my head right now, and just try to keep it going.
Q. Good. I know you have two to finish tomorrow and another round. Mentally how do you prepare to finish and start and finish and start?
PAULA CREAMER: I have to do it. You have no other choice. I have two holes tomorrow to play. So try to go out and finish strong with those two holes and go back and relax and see how many holes I can get in tomorrow.
ANGELA STANFORD, Rolex Rankings No. 23
ANGELA STANFORD: I tried to keep it as steady as possible today. Knew that obviously we were going to play 36, so really just tried to keep an even keel emotionally and just tried to give myself a lot of opportunities.
Q. Did you play 36?
ANGELA STANFORD: I did. We completed 36.
Q. How often do you do that? Not very often?
ANGELA STANFORD: I think we counted, since '06, we have had to play more than 18, in the 30s, four times? Rhode Island, Pine Needles, last year, this year. It's tough at a U.S. Open.
Q. Not an easy course to walk, either.
ANGELA STANFORD: No. I feel better than I thought I would right now, but that might still be some of the adrenaline. I think I feel good because I'm finished.
Q. How much time did you have between? About an hour?
ANGELA STANFORD: I think so, but we had to take the shuttle out to 10, so it was a little shorter.
Q. As you were maybe in the last 9, did you feel some fatigue?
ANGELA STANFORD: You know, when we had to come in for the rain delay, I didn't know whether I should sit down or stand up. I was afraid if I sat down I wasn't gonna be able to stand up. I was a little nervous when we went out to finish the last four holes. Fortunately I made two birdies, but I was a little nervous, because I think if we would have sat much longer it would have been tough.
Q. Both ends of the spectrum, yesterday and today, feast and famine, which would you prefer?
ANGELA STANFORD: I'm happy right now. I told my caddie walking up one of the fairways, At least one of our two rounds had a flow to them. I mean, the little rain delay, but I think it would have been hard to hit a few shots today, tonight, and then go to sleep, get back out here at 7:00, play a round or even show up this morning, play two holes, and then have all day. So I think right now I feel like I got the better end of the deal.
Q. You said it's tougher at a U.S. Open to play 36. Is it just the mental...
ANGELA STANFORD: Yeah, you know, it was funny. We had to start on 10. On 11 I missed a three footer, and for some reason I thought it was going to left and the mountain is left. I thought, Oh, no, you know. I mean, we still have a whole 'nother round and I'm already mentally kind of fried here. I think sometimes at a U.S. Open it's more mental than physical in the 36.
Q. When they pull you in and off the course, is it mentally draining more so than physically draining?
ANGELA STANFORD: Yeah, because you have to find something to keep your mind off of it. You have to figure out how to stay in a rhythm. So there are a lot of different things. I mean, physically all you've got to do is sit and put your feet up. Mentally you've got to figure out, should I be watching a TV show, should I be listening to music, talking to my family? So I think it's more mentally drain.
Q. How do you keep focused?
ANGELA STANFORD: Ah, you know, I think because I've had some family and friends here it's been easy. You know, it's been kind of nice hanging out with them and not really talking about golf. So they've helped.
Q. It's already tough enough to play an Open, but then now you talk about the mountain and also the altitude; Juli Inkster was talking about having a graph for club selection. Does that really come into play a lot?
ANGELA STANFORD: There is a lot more to think about here than normal U.S. Opens with the altitude, and then I mean, there's really I mean, there's never a time in a U.S. Open to relax, but there is really not one here, because I mean, I'm not a math major, so... I mean, maybe that's helped me play one shot at a time, because I'm having a hard time doing all the math. You really don't have a chance to let down here.
LIZETTE SALAS, Rolex Rankings No. 639
MODERATOR: Even par through two rounds at the Women's Open, Lizette Salas.
LIZETTE SALAS: Hi, everybody.
Q. How are you doing?
LIZETTE SALAS: Good, just tired.
Q. You got two rounds in at even par. That's pretty good.
LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah, I just kind of thought of it as another U.S. Open qualifier where I played 36 holes and tried not to get too ahead of myself. I got into some trouble early which got my a little more grounded. And then on my back nine, which is the front nine, I went par what did I go, Greg? Par, par, par, birdie, birdie, so that get me back to red numbers. Then I bogeyed 5. From then on kept steady fairway, green, two putt, and occasional up and down. So it was good.
Q. How many holes did you play total today?
LIZETTE SALAS: Um, 35 and a putt. (Laughter.) Yeah, it was a long day.
Q. How much time did you have between rounds?
LIZETTE SALAS: About an hour. So I just stretched and hit a couple putts, ate some lunch. I was starving. Yep.
Q. Do you prefer this kind of day to yesterday?
LIZETTE SALAS: Well, I got play today, which is good. Yesterday I only hit a drive approach and a putt. Wish it didn't have to be like that, but weather, yeah.
Q. How much of a distraction is it, this weather?
LIZETTE SALAS: Um, it could be distracting just because you don't move for a long time and kind of lose focus. But, um, everyone has to deal with it. I've been dealing with it for three events on the Futures Tour, so I'm kind of used to it.
Q. Can you put into words and perspective the fact that not only are you making the cut at U.S. Women's Open, but you're on the leaderboard?
LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah, it's pretty nice to have my name up on the leaderboard. Um, is this is my fourth professional tournament. Just graduated from USC. It's been good so far. Going in with no expectations and just going to have fun with it.
Q. You shot 69 this morning. Coming off a good round like that, do you want to keep on playing? Were you in a groove?
LIZETTE SALAS: I was. I was kind of in like a boring stage I call it, just fairway, green, putt and occasionally I would hit a good shot close and make the birdie. Today got a little shaky. I was getting tired both physically and mentally tired, but I stayed strong throughout the round. Yeah, just wanted to par in. That's all I wanted to do.
Q. Did you play against Ryann O'Toole?
LIZETTE SALAS: I did for two years. Yeah, now I see her more. She's always been a long hitter, so it's good for her.
Q. This course set up well for her, you think? Are you surprised to see her up there?
LIZETTE SALAS: No, I'm not surprised. She's always been a good player. When she's on, she's on. Yeah, I'm glad to see she's up there, too. Good for our conference.
Q. When you get tired, how do you combat that?
LIZETTE SALAS: Um, well, swing wise I try not to force it, because if I force it I get into trouble. Just try to breathe more and just play a game in my head. Just hit the fairway, the green, and just make par. That's it.
RYANN O'TOOLE, Rolex Rankings No. 172
Q. Did you change your game plan a bit? After the delay everything was a little softer and there was no wind.
RYANN O'TOOLE: I didn't change it right away. It was more like you're gathering information as you go along. It's just like you find out I mean, played two holes, one hoe was a reachable par 4, and then next hole par 5. It's just like so I didn't really factor in I didn't really notice weather, or at least (indiscernible) until the par 3 when, you know, all day I didn't hit a full pitching wedge 120 yards or whatever it is, 132 out here. It's flying five yards shorter, so, you know, it's like, okay, you've got to make note of that, and then it's just you know, I left a couple putts short when I went back out there. Just trying to get myself to hit it after putting really well after 28 holes, it's tough to transition.
Q. What would you say is the part of your game helping you the most, helping you score out there?
RYANN O'TOOLE: I'm definitely keeping the ball in play. I'm hitting a lot of fairways and hitting a lot of greens. I'm not putting myself in any like crucial positions. When I do kind of hit an errant shot, I take my medicine. If I take a bogey, I just kind of move on. It's one of those where you can't get mad about getting bogeys. It's key just to play one shot at a time and make par, then birdies will come. But I've been putting well this week, so I haven't really given much away with putts, which has been nice. I think that just kind of, you know, keeps the ball rolling and keeps your momentum going.
Q. How do you feel about your position now going into the weekend? I guess you still have a few holes to play tomorrow morning.
RYANN O'TOOLE: I'm glad that I have four holes to play tomorrow morning, so I can capitalize, you know, and finish the 36 holes that I started and leave it on a good note. I have a bit of a sour taste in my mouth with a couple bogeys that I made when we went back out. But I can always turn that around, reverse it tomorrow morning. 9 is a great par 5, birdie hole. Any hole is really a birdie hole if you set yourself up for it.
RYANN O'TOOLE: I didn't change it right away. It was more like you're gathering information as you go along. It's just like you find out I mean, played two holes, one hoe was a reachable par 4, and then next hole par 5. It's just like so I didn't really factor in I didn't really notice weather, or at least (indiscernible) until the par 3 when, you know, all day I didn't hit a full pitching wedge 120 yards or whatever it is, 132 out here. It's flying five yards shorter, so, you know, it's like, okay, you've got to make note of that, and then it's just you know, I left a couple putts short when I went back out there. Just trying to get myself to hit it after putting really well after 28 holes, it's tough to transition.
Q. What would you say is the part of your game helping you the most, helping you score out there?
RYANN O'TOOLE: I'm definitely keeping the ball in play. I'm hitting a lot of fairways and hitting a lot of greens. I'm not putting myself in any like crucial positions. When I do kind of hit an errant shot, I take my medicine. If I take a bogey, I just kind of move on. It's one of those where you can't get mad about getting bogeys. It's key just to play one shot at a time and make par, then birdies will come. But I've been putting well this week, so I haven't really given much away with putts, which has been nice. I think that just kind of, you know, keeps the ball rolling and keeps your momentum going.
Q. How do you feel about your position now going into the weekend? I guess you still have a few holes to play tomorrow morning.
RYANN O'TOOLE: I'm glad that I have four holes to play tomorrow morning, so I can capitalize, you know, and finish the 36 holes that I started and leave it on a good note. I have a bit of a sour taste in my mouth with a couple bogeys that I made when we went back out. But I can always turn that around, reverse it tomorrow morning. 9 is a great par 5, birdie hole. Any hole is really a birdie hole if you set yourself up for it.
YANI TSENG, Rolex Rankings No. 1
YANI TSENG: In the morning I was a kind of nervous a little bit. I was nervous for sure. It's U.S. Open. I'm very exciting. Afternoon, I kind of get used to it and just feel like it's getting better. I get more confidence back. Putting better, too. But, you know, this green was just really crazy to read. I just keep be patient. Tomorrow I think will be fine.
Q. Are you in striking distance? You're in a good position heading into the weekend.
YANI TSENG: Not bad, but it's not very good. I think I still have a very good chance. Still two more days, like my hole on back nine just started. U.S. Open is really tough. I just gonna go out there and have fun and try to make more birdies as I can. Stay aggressive, too.
Q. How was it that you were struggling with your confidence? Everyone was talking about how confident you've been all year. What happened when you stepped up to the tee today, that first tee?
YANI TSENG: Yeah, I think I just trying too hard. I mean, I trying to play well and try to hit it close to the pin. You know, I just need to play one shot at a time and do my own things and make a good swing and good stroke and I don't have to try. Sometime like you trying harder, worse you get.
Q. You looked like you were really struggling with yourself on that, especially that first 18.
YANI TSENG: Yeah.
Q. Your body language even was a little like...
YANI TSENG: Yeah, not as bad, though. Trying to find like why, you know. I don't get upset. I try to be very patient. I don't know, yeah.
Q. (Off microphone.)
YANI TSENG: Yeah, I'm so exciting ready to go. It's like day off yesterday. We go and practice and play long day, 14 hours today. It was just and then tomorrow you come out at 6:00 and then play only two holes and back until the afternoon.
It's tough out there. We just try to think another way. Everybody is the same thing. It's not just you, you know. It's not like you're on last or something. Just still go out there and have fun. It's always big crowd here, and just try to enjoy the crowd. People are very nice. They stay until very late with us, too.
Q. Are you in striking distance? You're in a good position heading into the weekend.
YANI TSENG: Not bad, but it's not very good. I think I still have a very good chance. Still two more days, like my hole on back nine just started. U.S. Open is really tough. I just gonna go out there and have fun and try to make more birdies as I can. Stay aggressive, too.
Q. How was it that you were struggling with your confidence? Everyone was talking about how confident you've been all year. What happened when you stepped up to the tee today, that first tee?
YANI TSENG: Yeah, I think I just trying too hard. I mean, I trying to play well and try to hit it close to the pin. You know, I just need to play one shot at a time and do my own things and make a good swing and good stroke and I don't have to try. Sometime like you trying harder, worse you get.
Q. You looked like you were really struggling with yourself on that, especially that first 18.
YANI TSENG: Yeah.
Q. Your body language even was a little like...
YANI TSENG: Yeah, not as bad, though. Trying to find like why, you know. I don't get upset. I try to be very patient. I don't know, yeah.
Q. (Off microphone.)
YANI TSENG: Yeah, I'm so exciting ready to go. It's like day off yesterday. We go and practice and play long day, 14 hours today. It was just and then tomorrow you come out at 6:00 and then play only two holes and back until the afternoon.
It's tough out there. We just try to think another way. Everybody is the same thing. It's not just you, you know. It's not like you're on last or something. Just still go out there and have fun. It's always big crowd here, and just try to enjoy the crowd. People are very nice. They stay until very late with us, too.
Q. Did you get to go to IHOP and have your steak and eggs?
YANI TSENG: No, I had no chance to go.
YANI TSENG: No, I had no chance to go.
Q. Can you tell the school you're taking classes with? What is that? It's in Taiwan?
YANI TSENG: You mean the English class?
Q. No, no, are you taking college studies in Taiwan?
YANI TSENG: Yes.
YANI TSENG: You mean the English class?
Q. No, no, are you taking college studies in Taiwan?
YANI TSENG: Yes.
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