Safeway Classic Presented by Pepsi
Columbia Edgewater Country Club
Portland, Ore.
August 24, 2007
First-round interview: Ji-Young Oh | Sophie Gustafson | Lorena Ochoa | Michelle Wie
First-round notes
Oh, Gustafson tied for lead. LPGA Tour rookie Ji-Young Oh and four-time LPGA Tour winner Sophie Gustafson are tied for the lead at 6-under after the first round of the Safeway Classic Presented by Pepsi. Oh fired a career-low round of 66 which featured seven birdies and one bogey. Her previous career-best round came at the Ginn OPEN in April where she carded a second-round 69 en route to a tie for 24th place. Gustafson used six birdies and no bogies to take the co-lead after the first round of play for the first time since the 2005 LPGA Corning Classic, where she also logged a 66.
Ochoa stays hot. Rolex Rankings number one Lorena Ochoa is one shot out of the lead following a 5-under par 67 in the first round of the Safeway Classic Presented by Pepsi. This week, Ochoa is looking to become the first player since Annika Sorenstam in 2005 to win three consecutive tournaments. Three weeks ago, she won her first-career major at the Ricoh Women's British Open and following a week off, she won the CN Canadian Women's Open, her fifth victory in 2007.
Ochoa managed six birdies and one bogey on Friday, including a chip-in from the bunker on hole 14 and a 25-foot birdie putt from the fringe on 18. She has shot par or better in the first round of every event she has played this season, a total of 18.
Lindley in the hunt. Leta Lindley notched a 68, her best round of the season, in the first round of the Safeway Classic Presented by Pepsi. Lindley, whose best finish this season was a tie for 21st at the Wegmans LPGA, had seven birdies and three bogies on the day to finish at 4-under par. The 13-year LPGA Tour veteran has 29 career top-10 finishes, but is still in search of her first victory. Her career-best finish came in 1999 at the City of Hope Myrtle Beach Classic where she tied for second.
Bogey free rounds. Sophie Gustafson and LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member Karrie Webb notched the only two bogey-free rounds on Friday at the Safeway Classic Presented by Pepsi. Gustafson, a 10-year veteran of the LPGA Tour, had six birdies en route to a 6-under par 66. Thirty-five-time LPGA Tour winner Webb recorded two birdies on her way to a 2-under par 70. Webb is in search of her first victory in 2007. She has at least one win in 11 of her 12 previous years on Tour.
Solheim Cup race heating up in final week. With the announcement of the 2007 U.S. Solheim Cup Team coming at the end of play on Sunday, two American players who have yet to secure their spot on the team are making a last minute push to get one of the two spots open via a captain's pick by U.S. Team Captain Betsy King. Christina Kim and Laura Diaz both carded under-par rounds during Friday's first round of the Safeway Classic Presented by Pepsi. Kim, who played in the 2005 Solheim Cup, carded a 3-under 69 and is currently tied for sixth. Diaz, who is a three-time member of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team, shot 1-under and is tied for 19th. Brittany Lang, who is also on the bubble for the U.S. Team, shot even-par and is currently tied for 26th. Diaz and Lang have made a last-minute surge as both tied for fourth last week at the CN Canadian Women's Open.
The 2007 U.S. Solheim Cup Team will consist of a 12-person squad, with 10 players who qualify by earnings points over a two-year period and two players selected by King.
WD. Jee Young Lee withdrew after nine holes citing a shoulder injury. Jenna Daniels shot a 10-over par 82 and withdrew following her round with an injury.
First-round interview: Ji-Young Oh | Sophie Gustafson | Lorena Ochoa | Michelle Wie
Ji-Young Oh, 33-33=66 (-6)
Scorecard: Hole 1, 360-yard par-4: birdie – 8-iron from 136 yards to 1 foot
Hole 2, 166-yard par-3: birdie – 4-hybrid to 18 feet
Hole 7, 462-yard par-5: birdie – sand wedge from 45 yards to 1 foot
Hole 10, 501-yard par-5: birdie – pitching wedge from 105 yards to 7 feet
Hole 11, 337-yard par-4: birdie – 8-iron from 133 yards to 15 feet
Hole 12, 525-yard par-5: birdie – gap wedge from 86 yards to 4 feet
Hole 15, 367-yard par-4: birdie – 8-iron from 142 yards to 15 feet
Hole 16, 175-yard par-3: bogey – hybrid to 25 feet, 3-putt
MIKE SCANLAN: Ji Young Oh. LPGA rookie. 6-under today and you're in the lead in the clubhouse. Can you just talk about how you played today?
JI YOUNG OH: Today, my play very great, and my tournament, 6-under is my first time, so I'm so happy now. So I'm very playing great.
Q. Did you hit any shots that you thought were really good?
JI YOUNG OH: Yes. My driver, driver was very good. And my putter. And today is seven birdie, we tried it, and, yeah, very good. So today, my putter is very good.
Q. When you started this morning, you had an 8 iron, you hit it that far away. Did you know then that you felt good and this could be a good round?
JI YOUNG OH: Yeah. I feel very good. Great. And yeah, good.
Q. That hole?
JI YOUNG OH: Yeah, that hole. And I like the 8 iron, so a perfect shot.
Q. In your first year in the LPGA Tour, what's been the hardest thing to learn?
JI YOUNG OH: I think amateur and pro is very different and course, too, is different.
Q. Is it because you don't know the courses or are their courses harder than the amateur?
JI YOUNG OH: I think it's harder.
Q. It's harder courses?
JI YOUNG OH: Yes. Amateur courses are shorter, so, we use the short iron, so, uh-huh, different, the pro course.
Q. You had not played this course before?
JI YOUNG OH: No. It's first time.
Q. But you did you play the Pro-Am?
JI YOUNG OH: Uh-huh, I did.
Q. Did you think that you were going to need a good driver on this course?
JI YOUNG OH: Uh-huh.
Q. Did think that was the key, the best thing you could do is hit good drives?
JI YOUNG OH: Yeah. Good drivers.
Q. Was there anything else that you thought was important other than hitting a good driver?
JI YOUNG OH: Yeah. I think drive, the first tee shot is very important. It's big course, and the greens are very fast and downhill, so –
Q. Okay. Where did you learn to play golf?
JI YOUNG OH: South Korea.
Q. And how old are you now?
JI YOUNG OH: Nineteen.
Q. And you just turned pro last year?
JI YOUNG OH: Oh, yeah, last year. And I have Q School last year and turned pro.
Q. What made you want to turn pro so young?
JI YOUNG OH: Because I like to golf and I want to try the pro. And I tried the LPGA. So I tried the LPGA at just 18 years, so –
Q. Was there somebody who was your golf hero in Korea?
JI YOUNG OH: My father.
Q. Your father?
JI YOUNG OH: Yes. My father is Korean pro, teaching pro, so I learned from my father many years, maybe five years I learn and I changed my coach, another pro.
Q. Who is your coach?
JI YOUNG OH: Hong Gi Kim. He's Korean.
Q. I figured that one out. Do your parents travel with you?
JI YOUNG OH: Yeah. It's a hard. And we alway drive. So long way from Chicago.
Q. Oh, you drive?
JI YOUNG OH: Yes. My father drives me.
Q. You don't fly at all?
JI YOUNG OH: Sometimes.
Q. Sometimes.
JI YOUNG OH: Yes. Sometimes we take the flight because it's long way.
Q. So your parents are here?
JI YOUNG OH: Yeah. My mother and my father is here.
Q. Where did you come here from? Did you drive here?
JI YOUNG OH: No.
Q. You flew here. From Canada, right?
JI YOUNG OH: Yeah.
Q. Do you think that starting early in the morning today helped your game?
JI YOUNG OH: Yeah. Yeah, very help. And the morning it's not hot today, hot, but the morning, only morning, so not hot. And the green is very soft in the morning. And now wind, just anything. So very happy.
Q. The 66 was your low round for the year?
JI YOUNG OH: It's the first time.
Q. It's the first time?
JI YOUNG OH: Yeah. So I'm so very happy now.
Q. What does it say on your hat and shirt?
JI YOUNG OH: It's a company (inaudible) in Korean, and they have golf course, six golf course.
Sophie Gustafson, 32-34=66 (-6)
Scorecard: Hole 1, 360-yard par-4: birdie – 8-iron to 20 feet
Hole 3, 405-yard par-4: birdie – wedge to 20
Hole 4, 391-yard par-4: birdie – 8-iron to six feet
Hole 7, 462-yard par-5: birdie – 7-wood to 10 feet for eagle, missed putt
Hole 12, 525-yard par-5: birdie – wedge to 15 feet
Hole 15, 367-yard par-4: birdie – fairway wood into bunker, 9-iron to eight feet
MIKE SCANLAN: Sophie, great round. 6-under. You're tied for the lead in the clubhouse. Just a few thoughts on how you play today.
SOPHIE GUSTAFSON: It was solid, and for the first time in a long time I felt comfortable with my putter, and that helped.
Q. As a long hitter, how many times can you hit your driver?
SOPHIE GUSTAFSON: Here?
Q. Yeah.
SOPHIE GUSTAFSON: Today I hit it eight.
Q. Eight times? Were there any holes you felt like you kind of got your game back? You said you felt more comfortable today than you had in a while. Any of the birdies that stood out?
SOPHIE GUSTAFSON: I finally felt comfortable with my putter.
Q. Has anybody asked this? You've had two terrific years, you've got a lot of momentum going. Have you won this year?
SOPHIE GUSTAFSON: No.
Q. You've done about everything but that. Is it time for to you win a tournament?
SOPHIE GUSTAFSON: Sure.
Q. But, I mean, is there a little bit of frustration there that you're doing everything so well and you've just fallen whatever, and this would be a good place to do that?
SOPHIE GUSTAFSON: Well, I'm not frustrated yet.
Q. You're coming real close?
SOPHIE GUSTAFSON: Yeah. Well --
Q. If I'm not mistaken, I think you tied your best round for the year today. Your last 66 was at Safeway down in Arizona.
SOPHIE GUSTAFSON: Oh really? I wouldn't know. They put up a wonderful show for us both here and in Phoenix. They do a good job.
Lorena Ochoa, 33-34=67 (-5)
Scorecard: Hole 1, 360-yard par-4: birdie – 9-iron from 125 yards to 6 feet
Hole 5, 489-yard par-5: birdie – 3-wood from 235 yards to 12 feet for eagle, 2-putt
Hole 7, 462-yard par-5: birdie – 4-iron from 185 yards to 25 feet for eagle, 2-putt
Hole 14, 360-yard par-4: birdie – wedge from 110 yards over green into bunker, chip-in
Hole 15, 367-yard par-4: bogey – wedge from 120 yards to 30 feet, 3-putt
Hole 16, 175-yard par-3: birdie – 5-iron to 25 feet in fringe
Hole 18, 383-yard par-4: birdie – 8-iron to 140 yards to 25 feet in fringe
MIKE SCANLAN: Lorena, welcome to the interview room. You're 5-under today, one out of the lead. Can you just talk about the reception that you've gotten from the fans here in Portland and also how you played today?
LORENA OCHOA: Hello. Yeah, it was a good day. It was different. It was -- I didn't hit very good my second shots to the green. I was missing greens and hitting it all over the place but I managed to finish under par and make a shot from the bunker and one chip in and one putt outside the green. It was a different way to do it, but I'm really happy the way I finished. And I saw, you know, the fans, really good gallery for being the first day in the morning. And it was very nice to see that. They planned a trip, one of my sponsors in Guadalajara and they came, about 150 Mexicans. And other than walking the course and they have Mexican flags, it was also like playing at home. So hopefully they enjoyed it and it will be nice to see them on the weekend and have a good weekend together.
Q. Does that make a difference?
LORENA OCHOA: Yes. I think every time a have some, just Hispanics or Mexicans that respond or come and cheer for me, they carry the Mexican flag and all that, I love it not just for me but for all of them.
Q. I saw you come off the green. Is it just one of those days where you shrug your shoulders and you just make things from off the green over and over again?
LORENA OCHOA: Yeah. I mean, it doesn't happen very often, but usually have one in a round or a tournament, but today there was quite a few of them. And it was different, but at the same time once you make one, you kind of have a good feeling over the next one, you know, and good momentum. It helps with my putting average. I like that.
Q. Is this the best stretch of golf you've had in your career in these last few weeks?
LORENA OCHOA: I think, you know, if you're talking about four or five weeks in a row, I think so, yes.
Q. I know that you have a little break after this. Do you just want to keep going or --
LORENA OCHOA: No. I know that I have a break, that's why I'm still able to play. It's one of those like, just one more tournament and I'll be off for a month. So, no, I think it's perfect timing to go home and rest, and I would love to go home with three in a row, but, no. Dave asked me, do you think you want to play next week, you know, if you win this week, do you want to play next week? I think it's a good time to go home. I could wait for the fourth one when I come back.
Q. Lorena, does it tire you out more to be in contention all the time with all the pressure that comes with that?
LORENA OCHOA: I think so, but it's different, too. It's harder when you first win your first tournament or second tournament. Too much things happen. You know, the week after you're just very tired and a lot of things physically and mentally. I think right now, this being my fifth year, I'm a little more prepared, and instead of being tired are just feeling bad, I take it in a good way. And, you know -- but, I mean, I've been, you know, struggling before, and it's just a different way of feeling tired. At least, you know, you get to the hotel and you want to shower and, you know, probably watch a movie, but inside you're just really happy, you know, because a lot of good things happening in your life. So it's different for sure, much better.
Q. How is the course playing? Overall there seems to be quite a few close scores coming in this morning.
LORENA OCHOA: To be honest, I was confused. It's not that I hit the ball bad, I was just confused with the greens. I couldn't get it adjusted. But the speed of the greens and also they are very firm. I played the Pro-Am on Wednesday and they were very soft, and everything out here just spring back. And today, even I hit really good shots, just landed a couple short and the bounce to five, seven yards. So I never have any ending close. And I think if you have good weather in the next few days the greens should be harder, and on Sunday they'll be pretty hard. So my plan tomorrow is just to be a little better with the distance and try to play short of the pin and get better on that.
Q. Is this a driver's course?
LORENA OCHOA: I think the par-5's are really an advantage for long hitters. In the front I hit, the two par-5's and had two putts for birdie. And that's a good break, you know, something that will just give you a couple birdies and, you know, put you a little bit ahead of the field.
Q. Do you hit your driver much on the par-4's?
LORENA OCHOA: I think I did maybe only three times. I hit a 7 wood two times and three times a 3 wood.
Q. So many people want to get an autograph or say hello to you or have a picture taken with you. Is it hard for you to say no? It seems like you're so willing to sign and sign and sign for hours.
LORENA OCHOA: It's hard to say no. I try not to say no. That's one of the purpose that I always try to do is just sign as many as I can. I tell everyone, I'll be back. I need to go, but I will be back on my way to the range and probably sign some more. And at least we can do it for all the fans.
Q. Is it hard to schedule practice time because you need half an hour to walk to the range?
LORENA OCHOA: No. It's not really about being in a hurry. I prefer, you know, taking 15 more minutes and just be over there, get there early and maybe have a coffee with the caddies or talk about what I did yesterday, or be relaxed a little bit instead of rushing or being in a hurry. So you have to think of that, too.
Q. The people that came up from Mexico, are those in the red hat?
LORENA OCHOA: Uh-huh. Yes.
Q. Is it El Rio?
LORENA OCHOA: El Rio. It's a Jack Nicklaus golf course design just outside Guadalajara, and I'm the touring pro. Some of them came from over there and it's nice to have them.
Q. I know many times you go to various tournaments and look for those Spanish-speaking folks, the caddies or whoever it might be. Have you found people here to go and share some time with and talk to them at all?
LORENA OCHOA: Inside the golf course, no. I know most of them -- No, not this week. I would say hello to anyone I see, but I haven't been there especially just to talk to them.
Q. Do you normally have this big of a group come up from Guadalajara for a tournament or is this --
LORENA OCHOA: No, first time. Over the year, with the opening of the golf course, actually just for the front nine of the golf course, they were trying to sell lots. And part of the prize was coming to watch me play in a golf tournament, the first 50 lots they sold. And each person would come with a corporate, so two. And they ended up giving more, and I think 140 people came. So, yeah, it's good. Good for everybody, you know, and I appreciate the support from my support, and hopefully they enjoy the week.
Michelle Wie, 38-41=79
Q. Not the round you wanted, was it?
MICHELLE WIE: Yeah, I mean, obviously it was very frustrating because just, you know, couldn't get anything going. I made some great par 3's early on in the round, later on in the round, but just a lot of putts didn't go in today. It's just, you know, it was kind of like a hectic round. I didn't know really what happened. I felt like I didn't shoot this bad. But, like I say, the score didn't show how I played today.
Q. Physically how are you feeling?
MICHELLE WIE: I'm okay. I'm a little bit sore today, but not bad.
Q. How's your mental game right now? How hard is it?
MICHELLE WIE: Well, you know, it's just really -- it's not the easiest thing right now, a little bit of struggling, but, you know, I'm just getting through it. I'm getting through it.
Q. Is there anything you need to work on specifically?
MICHELLE WIE: I think I'm just going to work on my tee shots a little bit, work on my irons. You know, my short game feels pretty good right now, but just work on everything I guess.
Q. Michelle, are you having fun playing golf right now?
MICHELLE WIE: Yeah. I mean, it's fun. I mean, but actually there are moments when it's not the greatest thing. But, you know, it's what I love to do and, you know, I know that there are going to be bad moments.
Q. Do you think it will be nice for you to get away and go to college and have a little break?
MICHELLE WIE: Yeah, I think that, you know, the most important thing for me right now is the round tomorrow, so I'm just going to focus on that.
Q. You had two double bogeys on the back, right?
MICHELLE WIE: Yeah.
Q. Kind of take us through what happened on those, because that's where it changed your round I would imagine.
MICHELLE WIE: Yeah. I mean, I kind of messed up on 10 and hit into the bunkers. Oh, I hit it into the water on the Par 3. So I had a good chip, but that's what happens when you hit into the water I guess.
Q. How is it having your dad in the back?
MICHELLE WIE: It's fun. It's a lot of fun. We get to hang out a lot on the golf course and, you know, it's good. He looks really tired right now, but it's good.
Q. You finally made that long putt on the last par-3. Do you think if you had that earlier and you might have been able to play better?
MICHELLE WIE: I had a lot of putts that were supposed to go in. I mean, everything single putt that I hit today was right on the lip, and it's frustrating, but I feel like it's just a matter of time before the putts drop in.
Q. Are you feeling pressure because everyone is -- Your gallery is huge. Do you feel the pressure?
MICHELLE WIE: I like when the gallery's big. They're supporting you. It's a lot of the fun.
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