Q. You came close last year. What is it when you get to Scotland that seems to bring out the best in your game?
LYDIA KO: I actually really liked the golf course last year. So I really enjoyed that. That was obviously a pretty new golf course. So I don't think it played to an advantage to anyone, really.
But this was a course that I've played well before when it was an LET event, and then I played really, really bad when it was an LPGA event and I came here. So I wasn't really sure. Mixed emotions coming into this week.
But I played really solid. I gave myself good looks. And I think even when I made mistakes I was like pretty calm about things.
And the weather was a lot nicer than I thought it was going to be. I got a lot more wet in that span of few minutes, and then also dry overall. So, yeah, I think we got lucky, considering what the forecast was going to be.
Q. How did you find the change coming from Evian to here? Quite a different game. Do you quite enjoy the challenge of the adjustment?
LYDIA KO: I like playing links golf. I think I haven't played as well as I have wanted. I've only played really well at like one British Open and the Scottish Open, it hasn't been long since it's been like our Tour event. But, yeah, you know, it's very different to Evian. Evian was super hot and humid. Very different type of golf course. Ball's flying almost half -- like I think like half a club less than it did last week.
So there's just things to get adjusted to. But at the same time, it's nice. It's a pretty close, like, short trip from Evian as well. So it's an easy stretch of events for us.
Q. And now you're in Scotland, what do you like to do? What do you like to eat in Scotland?
LYDIA KO: I tried haggis a few years ago, and it was actually pleasantly good. So it hasn't been in like dining yet, so maybe it might come out where I might have to go to like a fish and chips place to get one. But, yeah, I had it at the hotel like a few years ago, and I was like -- I used to call the fescue haggis, and then I remembered I had like a Scottish caddie once, and he was like, What are you talking about? Like that's something you eat.
So maybe that. I feel like the food here is very similar to the food that we have in New Zealand, and like even the eggs are like really fresh. So, yeah, it's just nice to have fresh produce and food that tastes a lot like home.
Q. Very well played out there today. A round of 7-under, bogey-free as well. How would you assess your day?
LYDIA KO: Overall I thought I played pretty solid. And I think when I did put myself out of position, I patiently and calmly approached how I needed to go about that hole.
I had a really good group with Jen and Hinako, and so I knew that there was going to be some good golf to be played.
And on the plus side, we got a lot more rain in like the span of 20 minutes, but like less rain overall around the whole golf course. And I think we got pretty lucky because I thought coming into today it was going to be a pretty wet afternoon.
So, yeah, happy with the way I started, and hopefully I'll be able to feed off the good momentum for the next few days.
Q. Yeah, obviously it really rained heavily for 20 minutes. But apart from that, conditions were quite fine for links golf. There wasn't much wind out there. It was quite important to make the most of a day like this, wasn't it?
LYDIA KO: Yeah, I think so. There are some shorter holes, and obviously some tougher ones. But the holes can play so different with the wind. I've played this course when it's been really, really strong winds and a hole where I had pitching wedge today could possibly be a long iron in or more.
So I think that's the thing with links golf, the holes can play so different, not just by the strength, but by the direction of the wind as well. So I think that's why some of the scores were quite low and people were able to be a little bit more aggressive this morning.
And I think considering it's the afternoon, we barely had any wind, apart from that stretch when the storm came in. So have to take advantage of things when it's kind of given to you.
Q. It's been a hectic few weeks. Obviously there's a lot going on. Lots of traveling. And you just said you're staying on site and how nice that was because, I guess, those long journeys, and you're a bit more fresher, I guess, for a round of golf, which you need to be in Scotland.
LYDIA KO: Yeah, and Jen was saying as we were walking down the 10th hole, Our bed is so close to there, because we, quite a few of us, are staying at the lodges.
And it's super convenient. This wasn't like part of the facilities we had last time we were here. So I was surprised when they said there was this option. And it's nice to be able to roll out of bed and you don't have to think about is there going to be traffic, and especially driving on the other side of the road to normal in the U.S.
So, yeah, very convenient week, nice, especially when you get done kind of late to be able to go to your room and doesn't take long. So I feel like it's very efficient use of time.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports