THE MODERATOR: Welcome inside the media center here at the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro. We're joined by Allisen Corpuz, USC alum. Played college golf in the area. Played some solid golf last week in Houston. Evaluate the week overall; that was a heck of an experience.
ALLISEN CORPUZ: Yeah, thanks. I mean, first Chevron Championship, really excited with how it turned out. Like you said, played some really solid golf. Ultimately didn't get the win, but still definitely leaving the week with a lot of really good experiences.
Q. You're only a year and a few months into your Tour tenure on the LPGA. What did you learn last year? You've actually gotten yourself into some really close spots this year with some big names. What have you learned from last year and those experiences that really helped you last week?
ALLISEN CORPUZ: Yeah, I mean, I think just being able to hit shots under pressure, even when I wasn't in contention last year, just really getting used to how the pressure feels and getting more comfortable out here definitely has helped.
Q. What was going through your mind? Leading through three rounds out there last week. That night what was going through your head and even into Sunday, what were you and Jay talking about on the golf course just to try to handle that pressure?
ALLISEN CORPUZ: Yeah, I mean, I think what we had talked about was really like the goal for the year was just to be in contention as much as I can, and like someday it's going to happen. But like whether or not it happens last Sunday, it was kind of already a win for me to be in the final group. Was really just trying to go out there and do my best and have a good day.
Q. I know you're pretty chill; is it kind of getting to the point where you want -- obviously you always want to win, but are you really trying to win in those situations or are you just trying to take it as experience?
ALLISEN CORPUZ: Really just trying to take it as experience. I don't think you can force a win. I think it's really just about eventually I'll play the same way that I did for the first three on the fourth day and I'll come through.
Q. We're nearby a place that obviously you got to win a lot at, at USC. What's it like to be back in the LA area?
ALLISEN CORPUZ: Yeah, I love LA so much. I've been here for almost seven years now, and it does feel like a second home to me. I mean, there's been so many Trojans this week that come and say hi, fight on. It's been really fun so far, and I had fun last year out here, and I'm excited to have another fun week.
Q. You live here, too; are you sleeping in your own bed this week, and if so, how nice is that?
ALLISEN CORPUZ: I am in my own bed, and it's so nice. I'm like 10 minutes from the course, and it makes the commute easy and it's just nice to know at the end of the day I'll be going home.
Q. Wilshire Country Club obviously a place that a lot of people that are based in LA or have played college golf in LA know very well. How familiar are you are the layout? Obviously you played nine this morning. How are you feeling about the golf course and what are you thinking when you're out there?
ALLISEN CORPUZ: Yeah, we practiced here my first two years at USC. The course has changed a little bit since I was in college, but overall the design is the same, just a few areas have changed a little. But it's a beautiful course. I really like how it's set up. I think it suits my eye really well, and I'm excited.
Q. What part of your game do you think it suits the best? I know the greens are kind of tricky.
ALLISEN CORPUZ: Yeah, I think honestly ball-striking is always important, no matter where you go. There's just a few shots that get a little tighter. Smaller greens on a few of the holes, and just really have to be target oriented out there this week.
Q. A lot of bunkers in play from what you've seen of the golf course it appears. How do you strategize around those bunkers and off tee shots? It looks like a lot of them are in your line-of-sight but may not be reachable or are reachable?
ALLISEN CORPUZ: Yeah, I think it's really, like you said, figuring out the yardages to the bunkers, knowing how far I hit it, and just making sure the lines I'm choosing aren't going to be going into those bunkers. But as long as you hit solid shots, they're mostly not in play. It's mostly when you catch a miss and stuff, that's when they start coming into play.
Q. I think one of the better expositions for you of your game was really playing in that final group with Nelly and Jin Young at HSBC. How confident in your game are you right now and how you're ball-striking it and putting it and just your game overall?
ALLISEN CORPUZ: Yeah, Singapore felt really solid at the beginning of the year. Honestly last week did not feel like my best. It just really felt like I kind of grinded, especially through the final round. I putted really well but didn't quite hit it the way that I wanted to. There were just a few squirrelly shots here and there.
But I think that that kind of helped me, as well, because it's really showing like obviously you need to be good to win, but I hung really tough, and yeah, just hoping that in the future taking that forward with me again.
Q. I know LOTTE wasn't the week you were looking for, but to bounce back from that, play like you did last week, I know this is your third week in a row so it's a lot of golf - I guess we had a week off in there - but how are you managing your energy coming into this week and really what are some of your goals for this week outside of the obvious one?
ALLISEN CORPUZ: Yeah, I always just try to schedule my week leading up to the tournament based on how I feel, so just took Monday completely off, didn't touch the clubs at all, and I mean, like you said, like I've seen this course a lot, so just did nine today instead of a full 18. But really just trying to listen to how my body feels and just respect that and keep preparing around that.
Q. Being out there in the LA area and at Wilshire, I know some celebrities are making appearances throughout the weekend. Do you get star struck at all? Is there anyone out there that you've been excited to see over the years?
ALLISEN CORPUZ: I haven't seen anyone yet this week. I definitely do get a little star struck. We actually had a team practice out here I believe my sophomore year where we met Will Ferrell, so that was super exciting for me. So yeah, definitely. I think it's always awesome to just see someone that you've seen on the big screen in real life.
Q. Is there any sort of different vibe being at Wilshire and seeing the Hollywood sign? Obviously you've been out there a while now, but I feel like that would make for such a unique atmosphere for a golf tournament. Can you describe what that's like?
ALLISEN CORPUZ: Yeah, I think it's awesome. I think it's a pretty special course with the rerouting for the week, having 18 being that par-3 with the grandstands. Definitely feel really comfortable just feeling like I'm at my second home this week.
But I'm really grateful that I want to USC, really grateful that I'm still in LA, and yeah, super cool just to be able to see the Hollywood sign from the course.
Q. What's the favorite Will Ferrell movie?
ALLISEN CORPUZ: I mean, honestly, I don't watch too many movies, but he's funny in every single movie I've seen, and he actually did a really great commencement speech for USC a couple of years ago.
Q. Obviously a place, obviously home for you. When you've had a long stretch on the road, when you come back, what's the first thing you do when you get back to LA besides laundry and going home?
ALLISEN CORPUZ: Yeah, I honestly just like spending a lot of time just kind of chilling at home, relaxing. I know we've talked about a lot of books that we read, just stay indoors and try to catch up with the friends that I haven't been able to for the past few weeks.
Q. Any local restaurants you have to hit up?
ALLISEN CORPUZ: I don't want to share those. No, I love Korean food. I'm right in Korea town, and yeah, tons of great restaurants.
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