LPGA.com

RHONDA GLENN: Ladies and gentlemen, we're happy to have with us Lorena Ochoa who is certainly one of the outstanding contestants in this 2009 championship. Lorena, I know that before most championships, sometimes during the week, also, that you will contact your professional, Rafael, and he gives you some thoughts for the week, things to carry with you to help you compete at a very high level. What has he told you for this week?
LORENA OCHOA: Hello, everybody. I talked to him, and I guess, you know, for the week of the U.S. Open, you want to say probably a hundred things, but he just said keep it simple. Just try to go out there and enjoy. You've been practicing good, and just, you know, trust that your game is in a good position right now.
So that's what I'm trying to do. I think it's very important for me to get back, to get a rhythm, and I'm feeling good right now. So I can't wait to start playing tomorrow.

Q. Just a basic look at the golf course and how it fits your game and anything you could tell us about yourself and this golf course, what you think you can accomplish here.
LORENA OCHOA: Uh-huh. Well, I think, you know, we all know it's playing really long, and it's a tough golf course.

I like the shape of the holes. I think it's good for my driver. I hit a little bit left-to-right, and that's going to help me to hit, you know, a few fairways out there.

The rest is just -- you know, the greens are so hilly, they have so many different slopes. You just need to make sure you keep the ball in the right position of the green.

And other things, of course, going to be very low. So just try to be patient out there, otherwise you're going to make mistakes, just try to make as many pars as you can, and go from there.

Q. In terms of other Mexican athletes now and in the past, how do you think you rank up there in terms of celebrity status and what does it mean to you?
LORENA OCHOA: I don't think it's an answer that I can respond. I could say that I'm very proud to be Mexican and that I'm very proud, you know, to represent my country in my sport.

It's nice every time I get back home, you know, that they wait for me and follow what I'm doing. They're learning so much about the LPGA, about golf in general.

I'm just trying to be part of, you know, the history in my country as an athlete. We all know soccer is the bigger sport, though. I think we're working to put the name of golf up there in the news, and I'm happy to see that.

Q. You hope to inspire athletes to follow in your footsteps?
LORENA OCHOA: There are right now a lot of players, some of them in college, some of them in the Futures Tour, and they are trying to qualify to have a place here in the LPGA.

I mean, I don't think it will happen as soon as the many Koreans, but I'm trying to work a little bit. Every time I get back home I try to spend time with the juniors and try to motivate them and talking to them about how is the professional life and encourage them to try it.

So it is -- you know, the number of golfers I've seen in Mexico right now is unusual. When I started it was only few players. Right now it's hundreds and hundreds. We have a good chance we have more professionals in the future.

Q. Can you talk about becoming No. 1 and how that changes things, especially the expectations? It's like now that you're on top, if you don't win, it's like what's wrong? How have you had to adjust to that? Does it become annoying sometimes and you're expected to perform all the time?
LORENA OCHOA: No, I think it's -- it's always going to be tough. It's never -- I don't think you ever get 100% adjusted because everything changes so quick and all the time in different places, but it's part of, you know, part of the job, you know. If you want to be No. 1, all of those things come along.

So I'm okay, you know. It's never easy. I'm still learning. I think I get better with time. I don't put too much pressure. I just try to enjoy my moment and to be up there.

Competition is tough and we all know that, and we know good players are coming and it's getting better and better. I'm just trying to practice, harder and harder. I already won two tournaments, but I'm not at the top this year. I want to make sure I continue playing tournaments and get better, every week be consistent, so at the end of the year I'm at the No. 1 position like I like.

PAULA CREAMER

RHONDA GLENN: Ladies and gentlemen, we're pleased to have with us Paula Creamer who was in it right up until the end last year at the U.S. Women's Open in 2008. Paula, as you know, has been struggling a little bit with a thumb injury. So we want to get an update on that. Tell us how you're doing and what the prospects are for that.
PAULA CREAMER: My thumb feels much better. Definitely I've played a lot of golf the last couple days, and it's a lot of ice and Advil are my two favorite things right now. But other than that, it's been much better. I didn't think it was going to be as good as it is right now. So I'm very pleased about that and I'll be teeing it up tomorrow unless something happens.
RHONDA GLENN: What exactly is your ailment? I understand you had a Cortisone shot for it.
PAULA CREAMER: I had two Cortisone shots. I've had one in my tendon and one in the joint of my thumb, and seems to be working. I don't know where else they could put another one, so that's a good thing, but I have what's called synovitis. It's basically inflammation between the two bones in your joint capsule, and it's just wear and tear.
The best thing that the doctors say that I could do was the shot and rest. There's nothing you can do to prevent it. It's just the way the hand is.
RHONDA GLENN: And when you took the week off, were you able to rest it?
PAULA CREAMER: Yes. The first time I hit balls was on Monday, and that's the first time I -- during the week of Corning, I played in the Pro-Am, and then I hit balls Thursday morning getting ready to go out, and I haven't hit balls since then, so it hasn't been much.
RHONDA GLENN: So it was 10 or 11 days or so?
PAULA CREAMER: Yes.
RHONDA GLENN: Thank you. All right. Questions?

Q. I'm just wondering if you can give your thoughts on the course and how it suits your game, and is it playing long for you as well?
PAULA CREAMER: You know, when ‑‑ I think I said earlier, when I think of U.S. Open, definitely this golf course defines that.

It's tight. There's not many birdie opportunities that you can make out there. The greens here I think were everything about this golf course.

And the more pars that you can throw out there, the better you're going to do. I think it's a great golf course. It is in perfect shape.

You know, I wouldn't change anything. Hopefully, you know, it treats me well these next four days, but it's a golf course where you gotta hit great tee shots. You gotta hit it in the right parts of the greens. And those, for me, are I feel my strengths and you have to be a good speed putter because there are a lot of breaks.

There's a lot of putts out here that -- two-putt is a good score. You walk away with your 4 and so be it. You're definitely not losing shots to anybody out there with that.

Q. I've heard from almost every player that approach putting was kind of the key to the golf course as well as distance off the tee. Would you go along with that?
PAULA CREAMER: Definitely. Giving yourself opportunities is always a big part of, I think, a U.S. Open and eliminating your bogeys is something that you definitely have to be aware of.

And your speed putting is I think one of the biggest things out on this golf course, because there is certain shots you'll hit perfect but you'll hit a mound, undulation and there's nothing you can do about it. You'll just have two‑putt. And I think Sunday afternoon after everything is done, there's going to be a lot of mentally tired people.

Q. Can you just talk a little bit more about the undulating greens and all the humps and bumps and what kind of challenges that presents, like approaching the green?
PAULA CREAMER: Well, it puts, you know - I don't think that you can really overthink out here too much. You definitely have to look at every possible angle of your putts.

There's so many different ways to play things. However, I don't think people hitting it firm in the center, you're not really going to see that much out here. There's a lot of breaking putts, and whoever can put the ball in the right spot in the greens is going to win, I think.

Q. Can you compare Saucon Valley to any course at which maybe you've had a good amount of success?
PAULA CREAMER: Well, I would compare it to one of my favorite golf courses, Cherry Hills, when we played the Open there, just in terms of being ready for a U.S. Open event.

Cherry Hills was in phenomenal shape and so is this. These two golf courses, they're similar in a sense of you get punished in the right ways. You miss a fairway, you're in the rough. It's thick stuff.

The greens, they both were really undulated. These are a little bit bigger than they were at Cherry Hills, but to me I can compare it to that golf course the most in my mind.

Q. Speaking of the younger players, why is women's golf at the top level in a younger game than the men's game at the top level?
PAULA CREAMER: I think because there are a lot more guys that play golf than there are women. I would definitely say that that is a huge part of it. Just the competition is a lot deeper for the guys than it is for the girls, and I think that's changing over time for women.

And I think you're starting to see it more and more now. I remember when I was 16, 17 years old, there weren't that many junior girls out there, or when I started, when I was 10 to 14, I was playing with the boys. I just think that there's much more opportunities now for girls, and you know, there's just so many more guys, I think that you could say, that play golf.

ANNA NORDQVIST

RHONDA GLENN: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We are happy to have with us Anna Nordqvist, who is a fresh new start on the LPGA Tour. As, you know, she's a rookie, and she won the McDonald's LPGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola. She played some blazing golf in order to do that. It's a big major win in her corner. Anna, just to start things off, do you think having won a major championship, the LPGA championship, makes you a little more ready to perhaps win the Women's Open?
ANNA NORDQVIST: Obviously winning McDonald's and winning a Major, it's a great confidence boost, so just knowing that you can compete in this level, but at the same time it's a lot of good players out here, so you gotta bring your A game if you're going to be on top.
RHONDA GLENN: It's a very long golf course, over 6,700 yards. I noticed your driving stat is about 247 yards on average, which is good and long, but is this course going to test your long game, you think?
ANNA NORDQVIST: I think not only for me, I think it's a great challenge for all of the players. You don't necessarily have to hit it very long. You have to keep it on the fairway, have to keep it on the right spots on the green rather than hit it very far.
RHONDA GLENN: We'll open it up to questions from the reporters.

Q. If you think back to winning the major, how has your life been different in the past few weeks?
ANNA NORDQVIST: Well, my life has changed a little bit after the major. I mean, I had a little bit more to do, a little bit more attention, which has been really fun. It's a great learning experience for me.

Obviously knowing, knowing that you're getting into tournaments took off some pressure because you're going to be able to make your schedule for the year. But it's been great fun.
RHONDA GLENN: And she got a lot of newspaper coverage Sweden, didn't you? Big headlines, big photographs, that sort of thing.
ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah. I mean, it's great. It's great for the golf in Sweden, and it's been a lot of attention, but I've enjoyed it a lot.
RHONDA GLENN: With Annika, you know, out of the game right now, on maternity leave, do you feel any more sense of pressure, you know, as one of the Swedes here in the field to step up and, you know, maybe continue your pace this year in your rookie season?
ANNA NORDQVIST: I don't feel any pressure to come out here and compete right away.

I mean, I'm just getting started, and there's a lot of good competition out here. Even though Annika is not here, I mean, there's a lot of good young players coming up.

I don't think like being a Swede, of course, there's a lot of comparison with Annika and her footsteps, but I don't feel any pressure.

Q. The course, how well was it? How was the greens and everything?
ANNA NORDQVIST: Yeah, I think the course is in such great shape, and I think I'm talking for all the players, that, I mean, I'm excited to be here this week. It's a really good setup. It's pretty long; it's a great challenge. The greens are going to be fast.

You can put it on the right spots on the green. I mean, it's just a great layout, and I'm really excited to be here, and I think USGA has done a tremendous job so far by preparing for this tournament.

Q. You guys are going to go to the Women's British and Evian. How much are you going to play in Europe? Will you stay and play any other like LET events there? And I guess beyond that do you think you have a chance to be on the European Solheim Cup team this fall?
ANNA NORDQVIST: Well, after my win at McDonald's, I'm kind of in a different position, because now I'm going to know that I'm going to get into tournaments, and I do have my European Tour card, as well.

Since I'm from Sweden, I grew up playing a lot in Europe, and I enjoy that a lot. I think the Ladies European tour is a great tour. I'll go back there for Evian, British and hopefully play a couple more tournaments, probably going to go back and forth a little bit, and about the Solheim Cup team, I mean, playing on the Solheim Cup is a dream of mine, and it would be great if it would come true this year, but I think I have time. I mean, I'm just a rookie, and I don't feel any pressure that I have to make it this year.

I mean, if I don't, I'm just going to keep working hard, and hopefully I will make that dream come true in the future.

ANGELA STANFORD

RHONDA GLENN: Ladies and gentlemen, we would like to welcome Angela Stanford, who has a long history with the United States Golf Association. She was a member of the USA Curtis Cup team and competed in all of our amateur championships, and now, of course, hopes to win the Women's Open. Angela, you've recently taken some time off from playing because your mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. You're very close to her. How is she doing?
ANGELA STANFORD: Well, everything's fairly new, so we kind of went through the couple of weeks that were the hardest weeks of finding out, and then, you know, realizing what's going to happen and how it changes your life. And this last weekend she had a good weekend because she said she didn't have to go see any doctors or anything like that.

Today she had the CAT scan, and my family is there. Apparently they're in chemo class right now learning about chemo. It was rough out there today, because, you know, when you said I took some time off, I'm not sure I took enough time off.

Q. Does it help to have your little posse out there, Brittany Lincicome and Jenny Gleason, Kristy McPherson? I know you guys are real tight. Does it help you to spend time with them, and if so, how?
ANGELA STANFORD: Yeah. You know, I think for two reasons. I mean, one, they keep things very light. I spend more time laughing at them than being serious, but at the same time, they know my family, and they know my mom.

I know Kristy's mom has been through cancer, so they're able to, you know, to kind of - you know, there's the fun side, but then there's also the supportive side. And knowing my family and knowing me, they care about me as a person, so that's helped a lot, because I don't feel like I'm alone out here.

That was the one thing that my mom, you know, she was like, I know you've got some good friends out there to take care of you out there, so they've been a blessing.

Q. What did you take away from 2003? And is it hard not to think that that might be your only shot at winning a Women's Open?
ANGELA STANFORD: Well, the thing that I took away from it is that I can win one, that I can put myself in that position, and anything can happen.
I don't believe that was my one shot. And ever since that moment, I, you know, that was supposed to happen. That, you know, God knew that way before I did. But I also believe He has one in store for me.

I think that's what made getting over that that much easier, because I know that there's one in store for me.

Q. How does the buzz coming into this tournament compare to years past from your vantage point?
ANGELA STANFORD: For me, it's always the same. I mean, I don't know. I think everybody gears up for U.S. Opens. They're so - they're different from what we see every week.

They're just a lot of fun, because it's - the golf courses are always very pure, but very challenging, and I think the buzz is the same for me, so...

Q. Your take on the course here specifically, the length of it that played yesterday, how it's drying out, and how puttable the greens are?
ANGELA STANFORD: You know, I didn't play yesterday, but we played here right after Corning. We kind of snuck in and got a round in.

I think it's playing very similar, because when I left after playing that one day that Monday, I thought, boy, this is long. You're going to have to hit it straight and long. Sometimes you can get away with hitting it long and being all over the place, but not this week.

And hitting, for me, 5-iron, 4-iron, 7-wood into these greens, I mean, I don't believe I'm the longest player out here, but I think I'm above average, so, you know, if you're not used to hitting those long clubs and then you're hitting them into smaller greens than you're used to, it's going to be a real challenge.

And also, if the greens firm up, that's really going to make it more challenging, because now you're having to hold a green with a 5-iron or 4-iron or whatever. So I think you have to be very strategic about what part of the green you're aiming at if the greens get real firm.

JIYAI SHIN

RHONDA GLENN: Ladies and gentlemen, Jiyai Shin, who has had two fine victories on the LPGA Tour this year. She's certainly one of the contenders this week in the Women's Open. Jiyai, you are known for hitting very straight drives, maybe not as long as some of the players, but very straight. How is that part of your game going to help you on this golf course, which is very long?
JIYAI SHIN: Yeah, this golf course is very long for me. For other players, too. Yeah, but this golf course, fairways so narrow, and then rough is so thick.
So I have confidence in my driver, and with my fairway woods. So - almost par-4 hole I hit - second shot I hit fairway wood, no irons.

Q. Big golf course. You are paired with Inbee Park, the defending champion, and Amanda Blumenhurst, who is the U.S. Women's Amateur Champion and just turned professional. What do you think of your pairing?
JIYAI SHIN: I am very close to Inbee Park. We are good friends. So I'm very comfortable with playing with Inbee Park. And then whose name again?
RHONDA GLENN: Amanda Blumenhurst.
JIYAI SHIN: Amanda. Yeah, I heard before she won, but I've never played with her before, so I'm just waiting for Thursday, and then I want to close the - friends.
RHONDA GLENN: All right. Great. Any questions?

Q. South Koreans are doing obviously very well. There are so many in the world rankings, but nobody's been No. 1. How big a deal would it be to be the first South Korean to be No. 1 in the world?
JIYAI SHIN: Yeah, now my ranking is - money ranking is No. 1. I have big chance for this year, but actually, beginning season, my goal is Rookie of the Year.
And then just I - I focus on Rookie of the Year, and then maybe after November or October, maybe get chance for still leading, still top. I try to No. 1 rank. Try.
RHONDA GLENN: Would that be a very big thing in Korea if you were No. 1? How big would that be?
JIYAI SHIN: Um, it's huge, actually. It's big, because never Korean players No. 1 in the world, so I think if I get No. 1, it's a big sensation in Korea.

Q. After your first victory here this year, then you spoke of losing some confidence, right? You said you lost some confidence before you won your second one?
RHONDA GLENN: After your first victory, you spoke of losing some confidence, after you won one, then you lost some confidence before you won again.
JIYAI SHIN: Oh, yes.
RHONDA GLENN: Tell us about that.
JIYAI SHIN: Yeah, before the Wegmans tournament, about two months my score is a little bit up and down, so a little bit lose the confidence, too. But now, after Wegmans I won two weeks ago. My confidence come back, so I have confidence right now.
RHONDA GLENN: Before you won, what gave you the confidence to win?
JIYAI SHIN: Actually, before two months my putting so tough a little bit, my short putting so many mistakes. And Wegmans two weeks ago, my putter is getting better, doing well, so I have confidence with my putter.
And then this golf course very fast greens, and then I like fast greens, so just -- I like it.
RHONDA GLENN: Would you say that you're confident coming into the Women's Open, then?
JIYAI SHIN: Oh, yes, of course. My first time U.S. Open is two years ago in 2006 -- 2007 in the Pine Needles, but it's big memory for me, happy, because first time major tournament on the Top 10, so I'm very happy play the U.S. Open.

Q. You mentioned that your focus at the start of the year was Rookie of the Year. Was being No. 1 in the world part of that or No. 1 on the Tour part of that? And are you surprised that you've had this much success so early in your LPGA career?
JIYAI SHIN: Of course, because I'm all the time dream to play LPGA Tour, and then now I play, and then I top on the Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year. I'm very surprised my - yeah, my play or my ranking. I'm very surprised, because in LPGA Tour, so many good players out there, so I'm very surprised.
RHONDA GLENN: You were a very small girl, I believe, when Se Ri Pak won the U.S. Women's Open.
JIYAI SHIN: Yes.
RHONDA GLENN: Do you have any memory of that when she won?
JIYAI SHIN: Oh, yeah, I saw the 1998 Se Ri Pak won. It's amazing for me, because before Se Ri Pak won, I never know the sport of golf. And then Se Ri Pak won. I watch it on TV. Oh, it looks like very interesting game.
So after Se Ri Pak won, my friends, Inbee Park, many players started golf. She's our idol, actually. So -- yeah, she -- yeah.
RHONDA GLENN: So she inspired you to start playing, you and Inbee Park and others?
JIYAI SHIN: Yes.
RHONDA GLENN: How old were you when you - when were you born?
JIYAI SHIN: 1988.
RHONDA GLENN: So you were 10 years old?
JIYAI SHIN: Yes.
RHONDA GLENN: When Se Ri won the Women's Open.

CRISTIE KERR

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please. Ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to welcome you to the 2009 United States Women's Open Championship. We're glad all of you are here. Our first guest is Cristie Kerr, who is the 2007 United States Women's Open Champion. Cristie, we're happy to have you with us. Do you have any remarks you'd like to make to start?
CRISTIE KERR: Absolutely. I want to read something I've actually prepared for everybody.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for coming out for the 2009 U.S. Women's Open at Saucon Valley. The USGA as usual has done an amazing job preparing for this event, and I speak for a lot of players when I say we're very excited to be here this week.

As a former champion of this prestigious event, I can honestly say that this course, the community and the field for this year's event is going to provide a memorable week. I happen to think it's one of my favorite U.S. Open golf courses I've ever played. I also realize many of you in this room probably have questions and concerns and issues involving the LPGA.

Out of respect for the USGA, I'm asking that questions at this time be reserved for the U.S. Open or questions about myself and my golf and perhaps my wine making. I cannot comment on matters pertaining to the LPGA operations as I do not have an official capacity to do that.

What I will say is that our player organization is very focused on how these difficult economic times affect our tour, and we are actively working with our executive board of management to create the best product for our partners and fans, so let's talk about the U.S. Open this week. Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: Thanks. What do you think about the length of this golf course? It's a pretty big course.
CRISTIE KERR: Yeah, it is. I think it's one of the longest that I've played in Open history. It's just very challenging all around. No. 7, No. 14 and 15. You know, even some of the not super long par-4s. They're just very challenging. You have to hit the ball in the fairway and then when you hit the ball in the fairway, you're met with long irons and fairway woods into greens. You almost kind of have to take the pin out of the equation and focus on hitting the green because that's what wins Opens.

Q. You mentioned the greens. What kind of shot making will it take to keep the ball from rolling away from the pins this week?
CRISTIE KERR: I think it's going to take a smart golfer, because you have to really kind of know where the trouble is around the greens and where you can hit it, where you can't.

You know, if you're going to miss the green, you need to plan a side you're going to miss it on. Kind of break the greens down in quadrants and kind of stick to the game plan, not think about the situation, not think about, you know, the pin is back right and if I hit it front of the green. You know, you have to really kind of just think your way around the golf course. That's what the U.S. Open golf is all about. And yes, the greens are difficult.

Q. Can you just kind of speak to the state of your game now compared to two years ago when you won this event? How do you feel you're a better player?
CRISTIE KERR: You know, I feel like I have a lot more control over my golf ball.

You know, two years ago, I was on the tail end of getting out of a change in my swing that had crept back in there from a couple years previous, and, you know, in the final round, in the '07 Open, I didn't start hitting it good until the 13th hole when I figured out just a way to get it done.

I feel like I'm in a lot more control over my golf ball now and kind of where my misses are. And I've got a great caddy now, so I feel like I'm a lot more consistent from week to week.

My bad weeks have been 15th, 20th. My good weeks are almost winning to winning. So I think, you know, that, it helps to build off of that every week.

Q. Can you just talk about what it is about this tournament that seems to be well for you? You played this tournament well, you actually won a couple years ago, obviously. What is it about this tournament that seems to suit your game so well?
CRISTIE KERR: I don't know. It just makes the butterflies in my stomach go. I just love it.
It's always the toughest course, toughest course setup, variety of setup, the field, the prestige, biggest purse. I mean, it's the -- the jewel in the crown of what you want to win as a professional.
You know, even as a European or Asian player, they want to win the U.S. Open. It's the biggest tournament, so I get excited for that.
THE MODERATOR: You're paired with Yani Tseng and Anna Nordqvist. How do you feel that that pairing might influence your game, if it does?
CRISTIE KERR: I'm very comfortable playing with Yani. I don't think I ever played with Anna before and she's a newly winner of a major championship, so congratulations to her. It's going to be pretty exciting for her, and myself, as well. You know, it's a very good pairing for me.
You know, I think the timing that I, playing with Yani in other groups, we kind of get each other. So I think it's going to be fun.

Q. How much comfortable do you feel playing in a major now that you've won a U.S. Open?
CRISTIE KERR: A lot more comfortable. There's not that question can I do it, have I done it? And, you know, I almost pulled another one off in the beginning of this year. I feel really comfortable, and I know it really takes nothing special, nothing extra. It's just good, solid golf you have to play. You have to manage your misses and your mistakes, and, you know, really these kinds of tournaments I think for me the more difficult the setup, the more simplified I get with my game because I know exactly what I have to do.

IN-KYUNG KIM

RHONDA GLENN: Ladies and gentlemen, we would like to welcome In-Kyung Kim, who has had a wonderful year, and we welcome her to the 2009 U.S. Women's Open Championship. In-Kyung, welcome. You have had three Top 20s in a row, and then last week all of a sudden out of nowhere you missed the cut. What happened to you?
IN-KYUNG KIM: Well, it's kind of complicated. I had to go back to San Diego and come back on Wednesday afternoon, but I missed my first flight and I had to -- like, I got there on the main night. It was a lot of travel, but that wasn't the case, actually, but I tried to practice a lot of shots that I needed for this week, and I was kind of trying to get ready for this week and it kind of happened that way, but I'm glad I'm here.
RHONDA GLENN: What do you think about this golf course? Seems like it's kind of a long golf course.
IN-KYUNG KIM: Yes, I knew it was going to be a challenge this week, but I played yesterday 18 holes, checked the greens and fairways.
I mean, the conditions are unbelievable. It's really -- the course is amazing. There's a couple holes, No. 7 and No. 9. There's typical long par-3s and long par-4s, but I think it's all fair. Hopefully the weather is dry out there.
RHONDA GLENN: You are in one of the featured pairings with Paula Creamer and Lorena Ochoa. What do you think of your pairing for the first two days?
IN-KYUNG KIM: Um, (laughs), I can't complain. I'm playing with No. 1, World No. 1 player and Paula, which is a great player. I'm looking forward to playing some solid round, first two rounds. I'm very pleased with the pairing.
RHONDA GLENN: Do you like to play in front of the spectators?
IN-KYUNG KIM: Yes, I think I do. Especially with Lorena and Paula.
Well, I learn something every day, and I think I'll really enjoy playing with them. Hopefully I can play as well as I play by myself, you know.
RHONDA GLENN: Questions from the audience? Please wait for the microphone.

Q. Women, young girls following the Tour, I'm just wondering, seeing all the girls in the crowd, watching you guys, what do you think is important about -- is there any kind of message you can impart? Do you feel any pressure as an example to some of those younger girls looking up to you guys?
IN-KYUNG KIM: Can you explain?

Well, there is no pressure, I think, for me. Well, I try to play my best on the golf course, and I can inspire other people, I think that's great. And I'm still learning how to play a good game, and I think it means a lot to all the players. I think that's one of our favorite -- people to look up to, inspiring. I think that's great, because that's how I got into golf, and learned and wanted to play golf, so I think so.

Q. You've been on Tour only for a couple of years. When you first came out, you were by yourself figuring things out and now you're on your third year; you've won twice, and you're at a major championship this week. Can you just talk about how things have changed and what you've learned and maybe how much more confident you are coming into this week maybe than you were the first time you played in U. S. Women's Open tournament?
IN-KYUNG KIM: It's -- well, same, but it changed a lot being on the Tour. It's amazing that -- well, getting, playing the LPGA Tour and playing well and coming back to the U. S. Open every year, that's amazing. That's a sign that I'm doing well.

And I've been playing USGA tournaments when I was junior, and it's always great to come back to play this challenging golf course, and I always learn something, and gain something. Keep improving by myself. It's...

Q. What's the key for the winning this, because the course is so long, and the rough, it's thick and tough.
IN-KYUNG KIM: Well, this week keep in the fairways, number one, are the important thing. I think long putting -- putting's got to be the second biggest thing to win this week, and I'm just keeping myself, I like long, long golf courses. That's what I'm telling myself kind of.
But, yeah. Putting and driving.

INBEE PARK

RHONDA GLENN: Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce our Defending Champion, the 2008 U.S. Open Women's Champion Inbee Park. We've known Inbee many times in the USGA history, the Girls Junior several times, and now as our Women's Open Champion. Inbee, how did it, or did it, change your life winning the Women's Open?
INBEE PARK: Um, I would say definitely it gave me a lot of confidence on my golf game, and it taught me how to win a golf championship, and just a lot of things, I mean, back in Korea, a lot of people recognize me, a lot of fans.

And just here in States, a lot of people know me, especially this week, a lot of people want to cheer for me. I'm very happy with that.

RHONDA GLENN: After you won the Women's Open last year, you donated $50,000 to the LPGA- USGA Girls Golf Club, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and at 400 sites around the country, little girls are taught to at least learn to play the fundamentals of golf and to enjoy the game, and you gave $50,000 to that cause. What inspired you to do that?
INBEE PARK: I think it's just to give back. I mean, I played a lot of junior golf, and a lot people helped me out to play junior golf.

I just thought that it's going to be a good idea to give back and give juniors a dream, to be like me or be like the good players out here so they can reach their dreams.

Q. Does this course favor a particular kind of player over other players?
INBEE PARK: I think it definitely favors the long hitters. I mean, the course is playing fairly long, even without any rain.

It's pretty dry out there right now, but it's playing a bit long. If it gets any rain, it's definitely advantage for longer hitters.

I would say around the greens, the good putting players will have a good week, too, because there's a lot of breaks on the greens, and you really have to read the greens very good.

Q. How about for you specifically?
INBEE PARK: This year, I'm driving the ball at least 15 yards further than last year. So that gave me a lot of advantage.

I really have to work on the puttings. And I think I'm a good putter, but you really have to get to know these greens.

Q. As the defending champion rather than somebody looking for a championship, how does that mentally help you this week?

INBEE PARK: Um, I think being a defending champion, you have a little bit of pressure. I mean, it's no matter how bad you want this tournament, you really have to work through the week, and deserve it.

So I think you just have to be very focused all week. And I mean this course is not going to play easy, so just keep making pars and be very patient out there, and I justhave to be myself.

YANI TSENG

RHONDA GLENN: Ladies and gentlemen, we are very pleased to introduce Yani Tseng, who is one of our USGA National Champions. She won the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship in 2004, defeating Michelle Wie in the final, I think it was 2 up or 1 up?
YANI TSENG: 1 up.

RHONDA GLENN: 36 holes. That was her first big victory and the first time we heard of her in this country. You are the longest hitter on the LPGA Tour, No. 1 in driving, averaging more than 270 yards per drive. Is that an advantage on this very long golf course?
YANI TSENG: Oh, that's for sure. This course is plays very long, because I been here last month. This week when I got here, the course has been drying out, in great shape. My drive is getting longer, and second shot I can be like short iron and so it's really big advantage for me to play this course. It fits my game.

Q. What about this golf course fits your game besides the length of it?
YANI TSENG: Because I been hitting my irons very well last two weeks, and, you know, my iron in this golf course, you just need to play smart and be aggressive.

You justwant to put it on the fairway and greens. My driver has been pretty consistent, and I've been working very hard with my driver and 3-wood, and I hit far. So it's a big advantage for me to play the driver and hit in fairway to be very consistent.

Q. How does winning a Major change your approach toward other Majors?
YANI TSENG: Yeah, I just feel after I win a Major, I feel I can win a lot of Majors. I know I can do it, and I trust myself.

And last year I been learning from mistakes last year, getting lots of experience for this year. And this year I play very consistent. So, you know, looking forward for this tournament. I feel very confidence now to play in this golf course.

Q. Does the knowledge of getting over that hump, is that a big thing to get over?
RHONDA GLENN: The knowledge of getting over that hump to win a major, is that a big deal?
YANI TSENG: Oh, yeah, that's for sure. That's a big deal, because winning Major has always been my dream. My dream is I want to be first Chinese to win a Major, and I don't last year.

So I just feel like I can do better than I thought. I can do much better. So I know what I'm doing. I know it's long way to go, and how good is my future will be there.