THE MODERATOR: Our first press conference of the year here with Nasa Hataoka at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. This is your fourth year in a row playing in this tournament. How much do you like this event, and what are you looking forward to this year?
NASA HATAOKA: Yeah, first off, I'd like to say thank you to Hilton Grand Vacations for hosting this amazing tournament. I'm also looking forward to playing with the celebrities and amateurs again this year.
THE MODERATOR: Speaking of Hilton Grand Vacations, I know you are a new ambassador of the Hilton Grand Vacations brand. Can you tell us how excited you are for that and how that happened.
NASA HATAOKA: Yeah, I'm very excited and glad to announce I'm a Hilton Grand Vacations brand ambassador. Looking forward to interacting with the fans at many of the tournaments this season.
Q. What did you do in the off-season?
NASA HATAOKA: It's a secret. (Laughter.)
Just kidding. I was in Japan. I spent time with my family and friends. I went to a strawberry farm and picked some sweet strawberries, played with my dogs and just strength training and of course practice.
Q. How much practice have you gotten in? This event is wedged in between really two breaks. How much work have you done prior to this?
NASA HATAOKA: Honestly, I didn't get that much time off. Working on my new swing with my coach, and I feel like it might take a little bit more time for that to really settle in.
Q. Can you tell us a little bit about the new swing, or is that a secret?
NASA HATAOKA: Yeah, I feel good, but I'm still working on not jumping on my impact, staying more stable through my down swing.
Q. Are you looking to implement those changes this week, or are you still working on that?
NASA HATAOKA: Maybe not yet this tournament, but throughout the season, if I can just gradually implement that.
Q. Another question about the off-season: You told us before that you were going to go skiing. Did you go skiing?
NASA HATAOKA: I didn't go.
Q. But you like to ski, right?
NASA HATAOKA: I actually haven't skied at all in my life, so I'd like to do that sometime.
Q. Another question about your new ambassadorship. How did that sort of come together, and what does it entail?
NASA HATAOKA: It was just right about one year ago, last year, I was able to meet the CEO Mark Wang at this golf course, at Lake Nona, and he at that point told me that he is looking for a new ambassador and was considering myself. One year later, just very fortunate to be the brand ambassador and playing this tournament as a brand ambassador. Looking forward to it.
In terms of later in the year, there will be outings in Hawai'i, and I'll be looking forward to doing outings in Hawai'i, also.
Q. First tournament back, what are some of your goals for this week to help you get ready for the rest of the year?
NASA HATAOKA: Well, it's only the first tournament of the year, so I'd just like to have fun with the amateurs and the celebrities.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports