THE MODERATOR: Ronnie, just wrapped up your pro-am. What's it been like to be here this week at the The Chevron Championship so far?
RUONING YIN: I'm excited. It's the first major of the year and the course is in really good condition, even with heavy rain. It's draining well.
So I'm pretty excited.
Q. How much have you got the chance to play so far?
RUONING YIN: I played back nine yesterday and the front nine. Going to play another nine tomorrow.
Q. And what kind of preparation goes into preparing for a major championship like this?
RUONING YIN: I've been working on my putting for a little bit. I mean, I think for the past two months I think I've been doing the right things. Just I need to piece things together.
Q. I know obviously got that major win a couple years ago. That was a big goal for you. I know you're a goal setter. At the beginning of that season was winning a major on your list of goals and how do you hope to accomplish that this season?
RUONING YIN: 100%. I think winning a major is my goal every year. I mean, I don't mind adding couple more majors, title, on my belt.
So, yeah.
Q. Haven't played too much golf this season. How do you get yourself ready for a week this big?
RUONING YIN: I think my mindset just stay in the present and every shot is the first shot of the day.
So I think I just really need to execute my shot and stay in the present. That's it.
Q. Golf course has had a lot of rain. Did you notice any softness out there? Thoughts on how the course will play throughout the week?
RUONING YIN: I mean, the course is definitely still a little wet and the green is soft compared to last year for sure. I think we're going to get a little bit more rain on Thursday, Friday. But I mean, this course, again, it's in really good condition.
Q. I know you're a big fan of Steph Curry who is beginning a playoff run right now. What is it about his game and attitude and basketball that you like and admire and do you take and try and emulate that on the golf course with your game?
RUONING YIN: Well, I think it's his calmness. He's a really calm guy I think. He has the ability to shoot like super tough shots. Like the one I think it's on Sunday night, the third quarter. There is a really good three-pointer. I just jump off my couch. It's really good.
He have a famous quote, I can do all things. I got that on my yardage book. I'm hoping I can do all things on the course, too.
Q. I was wondering if you watched the Masters and if you drew any inspiration from Rory's career grand slam?
RUONING YIN: I was in China during the Masters week so I have a little bit of time difference. I did watch the last couple holes. That was really, really, I mean, inspiring.
Especially I have watched the ceremony after. I mean, I really like what Rory said. Just never give up your dreams. Just keep coming back, keep working hard. I think that's what I'm doing right now.
Q. Do you have any pain at all, lingering pain in your wrist, or is it 100%?
RUONING YIN: It's all good now.
Q. I know there was a period in life where you hit a lot of range balls. What's your regimen now? What's an average session for you now? Have you scaled back?
RUONING YIN: I try to like hit maybe 100 balls per day.
I think for me, the quantity, it's not about the quantity. It's about the quality you practice. So if I can reach my goal like in maybe 30 balls, I'll just hit 30 balls.
Just depends how I feel that day.
Q. How would you describe your game overall coming into this major championship?
RUONING YIN: Great. (Smiling.)
I think my game is getting better every day. Like I said, I think I'm doing the right things. Just the putts didn't drop for the last couple tournaments.
I've been working on that. Just I think focus on my routine, believe in my routine.
Q. What is it with your putting specifically you're hoping to improve for this week?
RUONING YIN: I would say matching the line with the speed. This week is -- I know greens are soft, but still pretty fast. The speed was there, so speed control and matching the speed with the line, that's my key.
Q. When you're out there you said you saw the course. What are you looking at specifically out there with your caddie? What are you guys taking a look at? What are you observing as you prepare for a major championship?
RUONING YIN: I would say for this course, obviously we have couple tight holes and I think we just focus on the target. Like just see the ball flight and just try to do -- like see the start line, see the finish line. That's pretty much it.
Q. You mentioned jumping off the couch watching Stef. Have you ever done anything -- or I know you have done things -- but what's something you've done in your golf game, whether it was winning the major or on this Tour that made you feel like that about your game?
RUONING YIN: Well, I think last year Buick final round was the round I felt like I'm making everything. Felt like I'm Steph Curry making everything, 30-footer, 40-footer. Yep.
Q. How often in professional golf do you get in those kind of zones and modes where you feel like the hole looks like an ocean?
RUONING YIN: Once in a while. I hope those times, I can experience more of those times. I've been working on that.
Hopefully this week. (Smiling.)
Q. When you were a rookie you had some success. You had that kind of stretch of missed cuts. We've had two rookies win on Tour this year. What do you remember about when you were a rookie and balancing playing good and getting through the struggles, too?
RUONING YIN: I remember the first year on Tour. I think the first couple tournaments I was a bit nervous because obviously I watch TV before, like watch LPGA tournaments and suddenly all the stars are around me.
It kind of made me nervous a little bit.
After that I think I just settled down and tried to make myself believe that I belong to this Tour.
Q. How do you best work your way through doing that, feeling like you belonged?
RUONING YIN: I would say less expectations. Obviously I have a lot -- like I have a lot of pressure or expectations for myself in my rookie year. I tried to do things, but I figured that I don't need to be perfect every shot, every tournament. I just need to play my game. I mean, the things will come.
Q. What do you think about the rookies on Tour, like Ingrid and the Iwai sisters and Rio? Couple of early wins and top finishes. Your thoughts on this rookie class?
RUONING YIN: I mean, they're obviously doing a great job. I didn't win in my rookie year, but there is couple Chinese players, they're doing good, too.
So, yeah.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports