Q. So you start off with a birdie and end up with several bogeys in a row. Brought it back. How were you able to do it?
JENNY SHIN: Well, the bogeys I felt like, yeah, I don't know how to explain it. I hit two really good shots, went over the green, three-putted, but misread the putt.
So overall I hit really good shots. Bogeys didn't bother me too much knowing that it wasn't from a bad shot. Just kind of kept plugging along, and when I got my birdie opportunities I made them, yeah.
Q. You've played -- this is your 14th Women's Open I believe.
JENNY SHIN: Yes.
Q. This is your second best first round finish you've had. What are your thoughts?
JENNY SHIN: Well, I think out of all the U.S. Opens this is the best like position I'm in, whether it's mentally, physically, swing. Just kind of overall my game feels really good.
Been playing good this year; just haven't been able to put it all together and win and be in Top 5s. But I feel like tough conditions like this, good playing could really reveal the player, so I'm just hoping that I can stay calm and keep doing what I did today and all the way through Sunday.
Q. Yeah. What's been working in your training for your game to be at the level it's at right now?
JENNY SHIN: I think a lot has changed through COVID. I feel like I'm in a different place right now mentally. Like I think I've never been so passionate about my own golf game before and never wanted it so badly.
Before I was just kind of out here to be out here and I was good enough to kind of make the cut and keep my card and stay in top 40, 50, but now things have changed a bit.
I've been working really hard with Chris, my putting coach, and he's not just my putting coach he's been my best friend, kind of like a mentor.
We've been figuring out how to become the best, and I've never approached golf this way before.
So I think a lot of that has -- yeah, has everything to do with where I am now.
Q. Uncovering a new passion for golf, did you say that was as a result of the coach or something within you?
JENNY SHIN: It was actually COVID. Horrible thing to say, but I'm quite glad I experienced that kind of thing in my life.
It deprived me from my job and realized that I'm -- that I actually really love golfing, and because it was a job I just kind of let it suck the fun out of it.
Yeah, I think that was like a huge turnaround. It wasn't just like one night, oh, I love golf. It wasn't like that. Just a lot of self-awareness and a lot of therapy sessions.
Q. Lastly, what's the mentality going into tomorrow?
JENNY SHIN: I can't wait to feel the greens, the speed tomorrow. I see them watering a lot, so I'm just going to really work on my speed, and, yeah, who knows. Every day is so different. This morning my swing felt completely different than yesterday, so just really like try to manage my swing through the round.
Try to keep calm and not get so overwhelmed. So I'm just going to be managing myself tomorrow again.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports