Q. All right, nice solid day here. We were just talking about the fact that you had to withdraw from this event two of the last four times you entered. Fourth time is the charm I guess.
RUIXIN LIU: I was very worried going into this week. Originally this tournament is not on my schedule because of the past experience, but I'm just so happy to start with a solid 5-under today.
Q. A lot of birdies on the card, especially on that front nine. How did you temper the conditions?
RUIXIN LIU: Well, you know, my front was the easier front out of the 18, and then no wind around like 7:40, so I really took advantage. Three birdies to start with.
Putter was very solid and my iron is very, very solid today.
Q. For you in general, this is a big week for a lot players when it comes to the Race to the CME Globe. How do you stay focused on the golf at hand? Did you come into this week with a game plan?
RUIXIN LIU: Well, no. I try not to put any pressure on me because I'm nine spots away from the finale. This year I didn't play a lot of events to start with, so overall I'm pretty satisfied with my game right now.
Q. We've seen your name in contention a lot of times. We saw it at the FM championship, but keep seeing you up there. What have you been focused on within your game, within yourself that has propelled you back up to the top?
RUIXIN LIU: Well, you know, I had a lot of good and bad unfortunately in my game lately, so just trying to focus on the good and try to score. I think that's what I've been focused on the most, is just scoring, yeah.
Q. Where do you think some of your strengths lie when you're playing around Hoakalei?
RUIXIN LIU: Well, my bunker, around the green bunker has been pretty good lately and my putter improve a lot since early of the year, so I think those two really help me play well lately.
Q. What's it like being in this kind of atmosphere in general? I know there is a lot on the line.
RUIXIN LIU: Yeah.
Q. You're playing in paradise.
RUIXIN LIU: Well, it's so beautiful out here with a lot of beautiful birds and people here are so nice so I am just trying to surround myself in this and enjoy the week.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports