Q. What are you most happy about in the last two rounds as you've had a lot of birdies?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Not one thing is like great but short irons have been great so that's why I think the scores have been okay.
Q. First event of 2022. What were your expectations coming into the week?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: I haven't been practicing much so I didn't really have high expectations but hopefully I can play well on the weekend.
Q. This is your third time here. How much does this course suit your eye?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Last year I didn't play well, but usually I play well here so hopefully I can play well on the weekend and be at the top of the leaderboard.
Q. What would be the most important thing for you to do this weekend to keep yourself in contention?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: If I can hit some good drives and make some putts I think I'll be okay.
Q. Yuka Saso on the LPGA Tour is out there following you and she said she drew a lot of inspiration from you. How much does that mean to you to know that she's doing that?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: She herself is a U.S. Open champion and I don't know if she learned much from me, but I'm definitely happy that she would want to follow me and watch me play.
Q. What was the best shot you hit today?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: 14. Second shot on 14.
Q. Club?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Hundred yards, wedge.
Q. You like playing here?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Yes.
Q. When you win a tournament on the PGA TOUR, how soon before you think, oh, good, I get to go to Kapalua? How soon does it cross your mind?
HIDEKI MATSUYAMA: Usually when I win, right away that's something I think about, that I get to come here.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports