Q. Here with Janet Xiyu Lin. What a round: 8-under on a golf course that you've only seen nine holes of. Just tell me about your preparation and what you saw out there today that you just liked.
XIYU LIN: I mean, yeah, I only got to walk 18 on the cart path on Tuesday, and yesterday I played front nine in the pro-am.
But I did had a little look of the golf course and I really like the design of the course. I mean, today, first of all, I just be like feeling grateful that we actually get to play here, because with that much rain, like, I mean, our greenkeeper did like lots of work to actually make the tournament happen.
Actually, today the green is rolling like really good. So, yeah, it's like a little first timer, but I just like really enjoy playing out here and enjoy the challenge.
So, yeah, I had a good day.
Q. Walk me through some of those highlights. You had a lot of birdies on the card. Anything that really stood out?
XIYU LIN: I mean, obviously it's nice to start with three birdies in a row.
The first hole, the approach shot, I mean, the fairway still a little bit wet, so I'm just glad I got the distance right.
Then second hole I roll a putt in from outside of the green.
And then third hole I knock it close again and make birdie.
That was a dream start. You can't ask for a better start.
So I just tell myself, need to keep going.
And then, I mean, the bogey on 7 was a little unfortunate.
But then I'm glad I bounced back on 8.
Make a par on 9.
Yeah, finish pretty good.
Q. What's changed in your game? We've seen you at the top of so many leaderboards. You've been playing such good golf. What have you found this year in your game that's really clicked?
XIYU LIN: I guess a little more trust on myself, because, I mean, I've been working on the same thing for over years and I put in hard work, so I just think I need to trust myself more and believe in myself, that I am -- I deserve to be out there and in contention and everything.
And also like, I mean, I mention during COVID that was the time I realize I'm not the young kids anymore on tour. So I feel a little bit tight on time. Yeah, I'm definitely trying my best to chase my first win out here, yeah.
Q. Played really well last week. What kind of confidence did that give you heading into this week, this first round?
XIYU LIN: Yeah, the result last week obviously gave me lots of confidence, and, I mean, I think it's really important, especially when we don't get a lot of practice in.
So I just tried to calm myself, telling myself it's okay. Today like I came here a little bit earlier than I normally warmup, and then just roll a couple more putts and chip a couple more shot around the green.
Yeah, that actually worked out well.
Q. Heading into the next three days, obviously Sunday is very far away, but what kind of confidence, what kind of good thoughts does this round give you as you look ahead, especially at a golf course that you hadn't seen all of until today?
XIYU LIN: Yeah, I mean, I really like the design of the course. Today I still find lots of challenge. With the condition sometimes it's a little hard to get the strike of the ball. So, I mean, and tomorrow obviously I will try to will make putts like today.
But I will stay patient. Whatever brings me, I will just take it, yeah.
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