Mizuno Classic
Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club
Shima, shi, Mie, Japan
November 4, 2009

Pre-tournament Interviews: Yani Tseng | Jiyai Shin | Lorena Ochoa | Ai Miyazato

Yani Tseng

JASON TAYLOR: Yani, welcome to the media center, and thanks for coming in. Can you start us off and tell us how you're feeling and what it's like to be back in Japan?
YANI TSENG: Well, I played here last year, so I know the course pretty well. This year when I practiced, I felt the difference this year, because last year I felt a little rusty. This time when I come back here, I feel really comfortable. I've enjoyed all the fans and media and the people here. So, I feel very relaxed. I played good last week, so I am looking forward to having a good week this week. This year the field is really strong, so I'm really looking forward to it.

Q. What are you going to think about when you play?
YANI TSENG: I just really try to be focused, because you know, there is a really big crowd here. The course plays a little different, and sometimes the winds get a little stronger. I just feel like I need to stay focused.

Q. What do you think the winning score will be?
YANI TSENG: I think, if there's no wind like today, it is going to be 13-under. If it's very windy, it will probably be like 8-under. When the wind picks up, this course is really tough to play.

Q. What do you think about your golf this year?
YANI TSENG: I think I started playing really well like the first half of the year, but I struggled a little bit the last two months. I'm back the last few tournaments, but the last few months, I've felt like it was the first time that golf was challenging me. The last two months I really couldn't play well, and it felt very frustrating. The last three tournaments I have come back and finished in the top-10 again, so I'm very happy that I can have a strong finish this season.

Q. The last few tournaments you have been playing well. Why?
YANI TSENG: Actually, I started playing good in Alabama and last week. I think because I started talking to a mental coach, so I think that has helped me a lot. She just tries to help me, and tries to remind me how to think about golf. She just gives me some ideas on how to do it on the golf course. I think it works pretty well. So, it helps a lot.

Q. What kind of things does the mental coach remind you?
YANI TSENG: She just tells me how to think on the golf course. She tells me to see how many shots I can hit today, so that's all I do. She just tells me that like out of the golf course, if there is anything that is troubled, just wait it off. You don't want to keep doing the mistake.

Jiyai Shin, defending champion

JASON TAYLOR: Jiyai, welcome back to the Mizuno Classic. You are the defending champion, and have had quite a successful year so far. You are this year's Louise Suggs Role Rookie of the Year. So how are you feeling to be back here in Japan?
JIYAI SHIN: Well, I won last year, so to come here I feel very comfortable about this course. I really like playing in the Japan Tour, so I want to have fun this week.

Q. It was very cold yesterday, and today is better. If the weather is like it is today the rest of the week, will you play well?
JIYAI SHIN: Yes, of course. The wind always makes it hard, so I hope is it's just like today. Yesterday was so cold, so I get a cold, not flu. My feel is getting better right now, so hopefully some warm weather.

Q. On Friday you are playing with Shinobu Moromizato, and she is the top money player on the JLPGA right now. What do you think about that?
JIYAI SHIN: I played a few times with Moromizato. We are good friends, and also she is a good player. I just am waiting for the tournament day and I want to enjoy it. She is really good player this year, so I want to see her play too.

Q. Have you played with her before?
JIYAI SHIN: Yes, of course. I played with her before two times. This year I played with her one time.

Q. Is there anything different here from last year?
JIYAI SHIN: No, nothing is different. The course condition is still really good, and then it was really great condition.

Q. Which hole do you think will be key for you?
JIYAI SHIN: All the holes.

Q. What is very important this week for you?
JIYAI SHIN: I think it is very important the green speed because the upper part it doesn't matter, but the downhill part is so fast. So, I have to read the speed of the greens.

Q. What have you practiced so far since you've been here?
JIYAI SHIN: Putting. These greens are fast. So, I need to have practice time.

Q. What part of Moromizato's game do you think is strong?
JIYAI SHIN: Well, she has good putting, and she has good focus on the course. Yeah, so she has good mind-conscious on the course.

Q. You are the Rookie of the Year this year. How do you feel about that?
JIYAI SHIN: Well, I feel very happy, but not yet. I have to keep playing and just stay focused for the rest of the year. I still have tournaments left this year, so I just have to stay focused. I have to stay focused, and then after Houston and other tournaments, I can think about it and be happy. My goal at beginning of year was to be Rookie of the Year, and I already made it, but I have to keep focus.

Lorena Ochoa

JASON TAYLOR: Lorena, thanks for coming in. Can you talk about how you're feeling this week and how Japan has treated you so far?
LORENA OCHOA: I am very happy to be here in Japan. I think, from what I've heard, the last time I've been here was five years ago, so it is a good feeling to be back. I have heard so many good things about the tournament, the golf course and the facilities. So, I am very pleased to be here. It's been a wonderful week and I can't wait to start the tournament on Friday.

Q. This is the first time at this golf course. Which hole do you think would be important for you?
LORENA OCHOA: Well, I don't like to think only one hole. I always think that the par-5s are important. Some of them are reachable, and I have to give myself a chance to make as many birdies as possible. I'm just trying to score a low number.

Q. How do you feel about your golf this year?
LORENA OCHOA: It's been a good year. I think it has been a little bit some up-and-downs, I think the year has been that way. I think I am learning. It's been a learning experience. I am hoping to finish the year strong, and at the same time get ready for a good start for next year.

Q. What kind of score do you think you should make this week?
LORENA OCHOA: I don't have that score in my mind. I always just try to play really good golf and see what happens. I don't like to have a number in my head, and I don't like to limit. I just have to play really good golf, and give myself a chance to make a lot of birdies.

Q. It has been up-and-down year for you this year. How is your motivation this year right now?
LORENA OCHOA: Yes, last year I was very frustrated at the end of the year. Now I am feeling really good. I am feeling strong and I have been practicing a lot in the last few months. I want to finish the year good. So, for sure I am feeling better, and I hope we can see that in the results of the tournament.

Ai Miyazato

Q. What is your impression of the golf course after today's round?
AI MIYAZATO: Greens are little hard, but the course condition is fantastic. I have to be careful with my distance for the elevated green. Both putting and shots were good today.

Q. Then you have no worries?
AI MIYAZATO: If the good weather continues, then no. But if it gets windy, the golf course will become very difficult. I need to work hard on the course management in that case.

Q. What do you think the winning score is going to be?
AI MIYAZATO: Under the fine weather like today, I guess it will be around 12-15 under. I don't know if I can make that score, but I will focus on every shot.

Q. Do you prefer it to be windy?
AI MIYAZATO: It doesn't matter. Either is fine with me. I like to play in the wind but whatever the condition, I will do my best.

Q. You had two weeks off. How are you going to set your mind for this week?
AI MIYAZATO: I think it is better to take offs and focus 100% on the tournaments I play, rather than playing consecutively and trying to concentrate on all of the tournaments. So I think two-week off were good.

Q. You have been finishing in the top-10 for seven tournaments in-a-row. Do you have anything in mind?
AI MIYAZATO: Being in the second for money ranking and the chance to become a money winner does motivate me. I think I am playing in a good comfortable pressure now, and it is leading to my good results. All these things are giving me confidence as well.

Q. There is a high expectation for you becoming the money winner. What do you think about that?
AI MIYAZATO: As I have said, being in such a situation motivates me for sure. But my goal is not to become the money queen. Money comes with the result. For now, I am just going to do what I have to do.