THE MODERATOR: All right, here I am with Lilia Vu. Welcome to the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro. Hometown event for you; pretty close to home. How excited are you to be here this week playing a new course at a great event?
LILIA VU: Yeah, I'm super excited to play at home this week. Not too close, but a lot of friends and family are expected to come up. I'm going to be happy to see them and play in front of them.
Q. Tell me your impressions of the course so far. I know this is anew one for the Tour. Have you played here before? What are your thoughts on the course?
LILIA VU: I never played here, but my caddie grew up in the area and so he does have some course knowledge.
My takeaway is it's a little funky and I think it's going to be really fun. There are some backstops on the back of the greens, so it will be fun to see all the different shots all the players are creating out there.
I think it's going to be really fun and challenging actually.
Q. What is Cole's experience with this course, and what has his advice been?
LILIA VU: He just told me to kind of listen to you him basically. Sometimes it may look like a 7-iron but the 6-iron might get us closer with all the different tiers and undulation.
Kind of just trust him on that aspect. It's going to play a little tougher and that's okay.
Q. Love that. How would you describe your game through the early part of the season so far?
LILIA VU: Yeah, I feel like it's solid right now, but could definitely improve. I'm definitely trying my best to improve towards that, you know, level that I think of my game.
Yeah, I feel like I'm in a good spot and I'm moving in the right way.
Q. What's been the biggest challenge for you at this early part of the year?
LILIA VU: I think for me it's been ball striking. I know I relied heavily in Phoenix on my putting, but I think it's trending in the right direction and honestly can only get better.
Q. They're hopeful that this event can be an escape and outlet for the community who have dealt with so much with the wildfires. What does it mean to you to have this event in your community given all they've been through recently?
LILIA VU: Yeah, it means a lot. It was quite devastating. Not being too far from the fires, I know a lot of the people reached out to me, but luckily we're just far enough south.
To see all the homes and the animals that couldn't get out is really depressing and sad, but LA is resilient and I think having this tournament here is going to bring everyone out here together and just kind of heal together.
Q. You mentioned about your game is trending in the right direction and in a good place. Does playing here or near your home in California give it kind of a, not a comfort, but almost a little more comfortable going into this week that's is almost relatively a home game?
LILIA VU: Yeah, absolutely. One thing I've noticed about this golf course too, is the putting greens are kind of similar to my home course at Virginia Country Club. It's comforting to know that I know my way around those types of greens.
It's a little tricky out here and it's going to be fun to navigate the course. You're not going to be on autopilot. There are different lines to take and sometimes you can land it left center and it will end up on the right side of the of fairway. You definitely have to be cerebral around here.
Q. To follow Amy's question about the LA fires and relief. In addition to this almost being a respite, you played in the pro-am with Walter and Shirley; played with them a couple years ago. They donated $6.5 million so far. From an LPGA side, how is it to have sponsors like JM Eagle and Walter and Shirley to not only support you guys and everything that you're doing, but also to give back to the community?
LILIA VU: Yeah, Walter and Shirley, they've done so much for golf and for us. I mean, I played with him three years ago and it was so funny. He's such a down to earth guy and really wanted to help us out. Then he got involved with the LPGA, and then with all the stuff that he's doing for the LA fires has been amazing.
It's so impactful and it makes the community stronger.
Q. And then last one from me: Looking ahead to next week, is there anything that you're going to be tuning up or prepping to get ready for next week?
LILIA VU: Yeah, I mean, playing here, right? It's not an easy track. I think it's going to test all shapes of our game and every part of it. I think that's going to tell us like where we need to get better, and I think it's going to be a fun week for everyone.
It's going to be colder, a little difficult, but that's what we're here for.
Q. I know you didn't get to defend your title last year at Chevron. How excited are you now that you're feeling back in shape and get to try out The Woodlands again?
LILIA VU: Yeah, I'm definitely excited to be back. I think my focus has been more on like body stuff. I haven't thought too much about not being able to defend.
I know the two months after last year when I withdrew from this tournament was probably the hardest two months of my life ever, just never, you know, thinking I could come back out there and play and be healthy again.
I dedicated a lot of time to just being in tune with my body, getting stronger, more diligent before and after the rounds. I just kind of centered my whole life around that now and I'm finally in a good place and excited for next week.
Q. Did you watch the final round of the Masters and what did you think of Rory's performance?
LILIA VU: I sure did. I thought it was amazing to -- I mean, he didn't start off very great. Doubled the first hole and ended up doubling another hole on the back nine. To be resilient and kind of just step up to the plate, I feel like he had a lot of people doubting him because this was the chip on his shoulder, right? Last one and he hasn't won a major in 11 years.
He finally just did it. It was amazing to see that. It's quite funny. I posted on my social media, my WHOOP stress monitor went up at that time. Told me I was in 36 minutes of high stress watching the last couple holes.
I look up to Rory and I'm so happy for him and it was so fun to watch.
Q. Considering your own background and watching him win the career grand slam, how much of I guess a goal is that for you, and what sort of importance do you place on wanting to win them all?
LILIA VU: Yeah, I think -- I mean, a lot of us, that's everyone's goal on this Tour, right? You kind of can't think about it too much. You kind of just think where you are that day and how to play your best and basically be where your feet are; play one shot at a time and then slowly you can think about it.
Once I get to three I'll think about the other two, you know what I mean? It's definitely a big goal of mine.
Q. You touched on your health and body a minute ago. Just talking about it being chilly here, does that have any impact on you physically?
LILIA VU: A little bit. I think it's just colder. Everyone is kind of cold too, so I'm not too worried about it. Just stick to my game plan and stick to my pre-round routine.
Q. Do you do anything additional given the chilly temperatures?
LILIA VU: No. I might jog off the tee boxes maybe to my ball, but that's about it. (Smiling.)
Q. I'll end with one. Exciting news IGF yesterday about the mixed team golf event. LA '28 is coming in your backyard. How excited were you about that news? What are your thoughts there?
LILIA VU: Yeah, it's been a long time coming, right? I feel like a lot of people have been talking about this and I think that would be great for the game of golf and the Olympics, and it's in the heart LA. That's just going to be great.
I didn't look too much into the format of who gets to play and how many players get to play in that, but super excited for it and hopefully I have a chance.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports