THE MODERATOR: We're here with Xiyu Lin. What were some of the key differences today as opposed to yesterday?
XIYU LIN: Today it's hard again. But I think today it's even a little more challenging for me. I think the weather is not very nice, and I didn't hit the ball as good. I kind of started off a little rough, hit it into the water the first hole, and then bounced back a little bit. Then had a couple more bogeys.
I think the turning point was really on 18. I've been trying to stay patient. I didn't really get angry with any of the bogeys I made, but then 18th hole I finally hit the fairway, so I was like, there's a good chance, and I hit that really good 3-wood in the rain, and then it went up to like maybe 12-footer. When I made the putt, I was pretty pumped.
Then my back nine was just pretty smooth. I think overall it wasn't easy but it was a good day.
Q. What exactly did that eagle do for you mentally as far as going forward?
XIYU LIN: I mean, because yesterday I missed the fairway on that hole, even like one tee forward. Kind of missing the opportunity of making another birdie.
So today, I really just wanted to get something out of 17 and 18 because I feel like that two holes is I would say scorable.
17 I didn't do a whole lot, and then 18 is just know what I'm saying how I hit the fairway. Then when I got on the fairway, it started to rain really hard.
I think I changed to an extra club, which helps a lot, so it rolled up there. I think to me, it's a big relief. I feel like my patience had paid off, and that kind of set a good tone for the back nine, even though I was still in good shape, but I was just kind of keep telling myself, it's going to come, you just need to wait.
It's a good feeling, really calm, and it kind of came early in the round.
Q. Could you tell us the details of what club, how long your putt was, all that jazz, on the eagle?
XIYU LIN: On the fairway, I had about 203 to the front and then 213 to the pin but because it was raining and kind of into the wind and uphill and wet, I decided to hit 3-wood, which it land somewhere in the hill and chased up there. Then I have four yards eagle putt.
Q. Who travels with you week to week? Anyone?
XIYU LIN: Nobody. Myself.
Q. When you couldn't go back to China, how long was it when you couldn't go back to China during COVID?
XIYU LIN: I went back during the Olympic period of time, but obviously I did all the quarantines. I actually only see my family for like three days, four days.
This year after Singapore I got to go home, so it's the first time really in three years. Yeah, these three years has gone really fast, though. Everything was so new to me in China.
My parents trying to catch up with me, I'm trying to catch up with my parents and all the family members. I had a good time there.
Q. When you first came to the U.S., were you on your own? How long have you been on your own here?
XIYU LIN: So I started when I was 18, then I had a real manager for the first three years, and then as soon as I turned 21 I decided to travel by myself.
Q. So your family was never really over here?
XIYU LIN: No. They come every -- normally before COVID, my parents would come each maybe two or three weeks, depends on the schedule. Sometimes they just want to be with me. So my mom loves to stay home, so she comes in the winter, and my dad loves to watch me play, so he would come like Canadian Open, Portland, places like that.
Q. Yesterday was fun, 4-under, no bogeys. Today even a few bogeys on the card. How much more gratifying is a round like today than just having it all together yesterday?
XIYU LIN: Well, like I said, I know yesterday was phenomenal, but I know I'm eventually going to make some bogeys. I shouldn't say that, but making a bogey on the first hole kind of take a little bit of that thoughts away because I know it's impossible to not make a mistake out here, so all I need to do is just get over it.
Only making bogey, don't make double or anything worse, and get away -- like get over it and mentally be still prepared, be aggressive, ready for birdies.
I think that's going to be the mindset for the next two days, too.
Q. How have you been able to sustain playing so consistently? I feel like you've just been in and out pretty solid all the way around.
XIYU LIN: Well, yeah. I don't know. I feel like I've been playing good but not like -- haven't had one week that I do like crazy stuff. I think this is what I worked for. Like I worked really hard. I tried to work on a swing, work on the short game, work on the putting. That's what I expected to come out.
I would say being in contention, it's something I expect to see myself to do, so it's nothing really surprised me.
But I do know I probably have another gear in me that haven't really shown yet.
Q. Did you have a chance to catch up with Ruoning last night? Did she question you about the landlord comments?
XIYU LIN: No, it was a quick turnaround, and I just got dinner and then got home. Then this morning I saw her from a distance on the range. But yeah, we haven't -- I will mention it at some point.
Q. The way things are going now, it seems like you'll be in the lead or close to it. Does your approach change at all? Do you just continue doing the same stuff?
XIYU LIN: It's the same stuff. I think a couple weeks ago I said I was going through little bumps. Like I didn't do really well at Founders and the Match Play. I kind of stepped back a little bit and kind of checked the whole process again, and I'm trying to -- I think I was trying a little too hard.
My coach and I both think, we just need to simplify everything and keep the mind straight, keep it simple. Like just make a strategy or just even one swing thought, like don't think of too much. That's what I've been doing the last two weeks, and obviously it's a better mindset than before.
Q. For those of us who aren't playing, is par a good score today?
XIYU LIN: Oh, yeah. I think the pin position -- there were some really tough pins. I mean, the rain probably going to make a green a little bit softer, but also making the rough a lot harder.
I would say yeah, and plus, it's a major course, so any day I would take an even-par round.
Q. Do you feel as confident as ever that a victory is coming soon, and if so, why?
XIYU LIN: Do I feel -- I don't know. I feel like last year I had a great year. This year I had some chances, but like I said a couple weeks ago, I've definitely been trying too hard. I've been like pushing myself to look for the missing pieces, and it didn't turn out well.
I think I shouldn't be thinking about that. I mean, I will go for it when I'm on the course, but I think when I'm off the course, I feel like I should just act normal, just every day stay humble, stay attacking, stay aggressive, and doing all these good things.
I know some good results will come.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports