THE MODERATOR: All right, welcome inside the press room at the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G.
Joined by Lucy Li. Who just recently clinched her LPGA Tour card for next season via the Epson Tour Ascensus Race for the Card.
It's been quite an venture for you the past few weeks. Start there. Start with the card. Tell me, how excited were you to finally clinch it, finally get out to the LPGA Tour, a place where you clearly belong?
LUCY LI: Yeah, it definitely has been a crazy month or two. Definitely didn't expect to be -- well, I thought I would play a few more Epson Tour events before I got out here, but everything happened so quickly.
It was nice to get a few starts. Yeah, definitely getting my card through the Epson Tour was the No. 1 goal this year. Definitely was really nice to be able to do that earlier in the season and get that off my mind.
THE MODERATOR: And not only clinch your card, you won twice this year to helped you to clinch that card. Those two wins, I mean, just how cool was it to get your two wins under your belt as a pro and just give me the emotions behind both of those victories?
LUCY LI: Yeah, definitely, especially the first win of the year, winning in a playoff. Wasn't expecting to win that being three back with three holes to play -- four back with four holes -- something like that.
So definitely wasn't expecting that. I hadn't won like an event in a really long time, so definitely was kind of a breakthrough for me, and so getting that was a huge win.
The second win kind of just that was a little different. Won by four strokes or something like that. Kind of just getting used to being in contention again. That was really nice to get the wins under my belt.
THE MODERATOR: Top 10 at the CP Women's Open. Played really well there, got into Toledo via the good play in Canada, and then was in the mix really; led after 36 and 54 if I recall. What were those two weeks like not only playing well in Canada to get into Toledo, but then leading the tournament through a 54 in Toledo?
LUCY LI: Yeah, it was pretty crazy, like you said. I wasn't expecting to get those two starts. It was my goal in Canada to top 10 into the next tournament, and so being able to do that, sneaking in the top 10 there and getting a start the next week and leading the tournament definitely surpassed my expectations.
It was really nice to kind of be in contention on the LPGA. Just knowing I could be there in that position and compete on the LPGA, it was something I already believed in, but just proving that to myself.
THE MODERATOR: Just walk me through the last two weeks. You're not a stranger to LPGA Tour events. I know you have been out on some of our bigger stages in majors in the past -- throughout your career. But playing in those events, playing well in those events and being in the lead, I mean, what was -- just kind of what was going through your head? I mean, obviously you belong, but how much confidence did those two starts give you?
LUCY LI: Yeah, for sure. I think my last four starts have all been LPGA events, so just getting into that groove of playing the LPGA and then being able to compete and contend so quickly, definitely huge confidence booster, especially last week.
I only saw the course once, so definitely wasn't expecting that. But I just went out there and played my game, and Sunday, same thing. I don't know, it's been kind of crazy. I'm taking it day by day. I wasn't expecting to be here booking travel last minute and stuff like that. It's definitely exciting.
I am excited to go home after Portland though. We'll see.
THE MODERATOR: I asked you this on Sunday, but do 19 year olds get tired?
LUCY LI: Yeah, yeah, I think everyone gets tired. I just sleep in. I slept in probably the last three days and that was nice.
But it's just really important to rest up and be energized to keep going.
THE MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. Do you feel like having locked up your card that it took some pressure off and allows you to be freewheeling out here and play so well?
LUCY LI: Yeah, for sure. Definitely knowing that I have status next year let me kind of pursue some other goals for the rest of the year, get some LPGA starts and play well in those definitely.
But I think just being able to be out here, I'm just grateful for the opportunity.
Q. Winning is a habit. Do you think having those two wins under your belt gave you a lot of confidence to be able to compete at the next level?
LUCY LI: Yeah, for sure. The first win came and that was more of a relief, and then second win kind of felt more like I can keep doing this kind of thing; gave me a lot of confidence.
And just being in contention last week definitely gives me a lot of self-belief that I can win out here as well.
Q. One last one from me, and it's about this golf course. It's wet obviously, but kind of a classic venue that we're playing here. What are your impressions of the golf course and the layout overall?
LUCY LI: Yeah, for sure. I haven't played a single shot on it yet, so Thursday, tomorrow, first round is going to be the first time playing it ever. That'll be interesting.
I went out and walked it yesterday and it's very soft. Yes, it is a very, beautiful, beautiful golf course, very classic. We have the trees and the rough and the bunkers.
So just kind of not many expectations going in there tomorrow. Just kind of see how the course treats me.
THE MODERATOR: And as you know, brand new event here in Cincinnati. It's the first time in 33 years golf has been back here. Twice you've been alive.
Just how cool is it to be a part of a new event in a new area, and do you feel a little bit more comfortable that golf course is one that nobody on tour knows?
LUCY LI: Yeah, for sure. It's nice to be in Cincinnati. I think we had an Epson Tour event in Cincinnati last year, so it's good to be back here. It's a great city. Good food and ice cream.
But, yeah, you know, I mean, I guess it is making me feel a little bit better that having never seen the course that most of the other players haven't seen it much.
I think it's just going to be -- we'll see how the conditions are, but it's going to be interesting to see how it plays out. It is a beautiful golf course and I'm excited to play tomorrow.
THE MODERATOR: Just kind of one final one to wrap up here from me. Obviously your goal starting the Epson Tour was to lock up the LPGA Tour card. Now that you've done that, you've played on the LPGA Tour, you've been in contention, I mean what are your the goals look like? We only have eight events left out here. I know you're playing Portland next wee and then taking some time off, which is much deserved.
What are you really looking for from yourself with eight LPGA Tour events left and only a handful on the Epson?
LUCY LI: Yeah, well my goal after I locked up my card was to try to get as many starts out here as I could, kind of get myself prepared for next year, work on my world ranking.
Fingers crossed, kind of like long-term -- like kind of -- sorry, more of an out-of-reach goal is maybe getting into the Solheim Cup next year if I play well enough.
Really day-to-day try to do my own thing and not try to think about those goals too much when I'm out playing. Yeah, that's definitely something I'm trying to achieve.
THE MODERATOR: And then finally, what are you looking for from yourself this week particular? Obviously having a start next week in Portland there is not nearly as much Top 10 pressure, but what are you looking for from your game as you approach a new golf course and new tournament?
LUCY LI: Yeah, I think it's just really important to be focused and strategize considering that I've never played this course before. Might have to be a little bit more conservative not really knowing lines. That's the No. 1 thing. Just kind of focus on the game plan.
THE MODERATOR: Awesome. Good luck, see you out there.
LUCY LI: Thanks.
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