Lorena Ochoa Invitational Presented by Banamex and Corona Light
Guadalajara Country Club
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Nov. 10, 2009

Pre-tournament interviews: Lorena Ochoa & Angela Stanford | Paula Creamer | Jiyai Shin | Michelle Wie

MIKE SCANLAN: Thank you for coming in. I'd like to welcome first of all tournament hostess, Lorena Ochoa, for the second annual Lorena Ochoa Invitational, and also defending champion Angela Stanford, who is also a member of the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup team this year.

Angela, if you would, talk about being defending champion here. You had a pretty exciting win here last year.
ANGELA STANFORD: I guess I'm speaking in English. First off, I'm just happy to be back. I think this is a great event, and you know, I knew coming down that Lorena would have a first‑class event.

So just the course, the accommodations, the people, everything is first class. So it's an honor for me to be the defending champ and to be the first champ here. Last year was extremely exciting, and it's been a great memory and some fun to look back on, and again, it's just great to be back.

Q. Lorena, You said that you had been somewhat distracted this season by things on the course, why the you still managed to win three times. How do you handle the distractions? How have you handled that this season?
LORENA OCHOA: That's what I'm trying to do. It's been a really good year in many ways, sometimes difficult on the golf course, but I think overall, I'm extremely happy and I'm trying just to get a good balance with my life inside and outside, and I'm doing good. Even the results, sometimes even the media or people just outside, it's a little bit tough, but it's been a great year. I'm just going to try to enjoy the next two weeks and get ready for the wedding.

Q. But has it been as good as the past two years?
LORENA OCHOA: For me, personally, it's been a better year. If you are talking about the results on the golf course, for sure, it's not the best year for me.

But I think what is important is that I'm happy. That's what I always try to accomplish. Personally is more important than things that I do, outside the golf course, and that's my main focus right now.

Q. Angela, can you give us an update on your mom, and because of what happened, are you planning to become involved in the battle to prevent breast cancer?
ANGELA STANFORD: Well, first after, she's doing great. She had her last chemo treatment October 30. Surgery is set for December 1. So I think we have some momentum now and she's excited about getting through it. She's doing great.

I've always wondered, okay, people raise money, but there's still breast cancer. But I think the thing I've realized in the whole process is you're raising money to learn about new medicines and how to make it easier on the patients, and that's the thing that I've noticed with my mom. The medicine is so advanced now that it's made it a lot easier for her.

So anything I can do to help with ‑‑ you know, for me, I would like to be on the family side of it, you know, because I know the family goes through quite a bit. So anything I can do to raise awareness and to help the families deal with it, that's what I would want to do, get involved.

Q. How do you feel with your game right now after being in this situation?
ANGELA STANFORD: You know, I think it's been a very tough year, because as much as you try not to let off the course stuff creep in to your golf game, it does. But I think there is a little bit there that I didn't handle very well, but just the fact that I know she's going to be okay, that made it a lot better.

I think my game, fortunately, I was at a point where I felt good about things and I understood what was going on on my golf game and that made it easier to deal with the emotions.

Q. Can you talk about being only four points behind Jiyai Shin in the Player of the Year race, you've won that three years that row and you have an opportunity to win it a fourth time.
LORENA OCHOA: Yes, it's been a year with a little bit more of up and downs. The great thing is that I have the opportunity to be the Player of the Year again. It's going to be tough. I think the competition is really tough. It's not only me but there are so many good players and the points this week and next week are crucial.

So I'm going to try to do my best. I'm going to enjoy the moment and I'm going to try to play one day at a time and not worry too much about that and just to play my own golf. I believe that I can do it and I'm going to enjoy it, every moment, it's nice to be home, being part of that process, it's nice to be home to get that support.

Q. How important is it for women's golf to have a star player the way Tiger Woods is the clear, dominant player for the men's game? How important is it for the women's game to have that kind of player, and do you feel like you're the player?
LORENA OCHOA: In México or in the world?

Q. No, in the world, the women's game, the image for the women's game to have a high‑profile player; how important is it?
LORENA OCHOA: Well, like I always do, I try to do the best in promoting the game and getting more people in golf, not only in México but all over the world. It's not only my place to do that; I think all of the professionals in all parts of the world, we have the responsibility to do that and just create more fans, and especially for juniors, so they can become professionals in the future.

I am just trying to do my little part. It's nice that people see and you recognize you and admire you. That's why I'm always trying to have a good career so they can try to get ‑‑ if you're a girl, to get to the LPGA, because it's something that I wish for everybody, it's very special, very fortunate for us to do what we love to do.

Especially in México, it's very nice to see the change and I'm sure it's going in the right direction.

Q. As another player, can you tell if Lorena is distracted or not or focused?
ANGELA STANFORD: I would say a little more focused. You know, I think everybody saw it with Annika, and you see it with No. 1 players in the world. There's a lot more demands of their time, and you're trying to plan, also, something very personal in your life.

So I can't imagine. I can't imagine planning a wedding and then also being the No. 1 player in the world and carrying that with you. So I would say she's more focused. But I think she has to be.

Q. More focused on the golf or on things?
ANGELA STANFORD: I think just in general. When she's here at the golf course, he she has to be completely focused on golf. And then when she's away, she probably needs to be really focused on that. So I'm sure it's got to be a lot more difficult.

Q. You said it before, your situation, you find it a little unfocused, difficult to keep your mind in the game even when you're trying to?
ANGELA STANFORD: Yeah, I feel like I've probably had the opposite. She's focusing on something very exciting and happy and mine has been the other end of the spectrum, where there's just a lot of wondering and a lot of worry, and so in that respect, I understand what she's going through, because there's a lot on your mind and it's hard to shut that off when you're trying to do your job.

Q. How difficult would it be for somebody like her to step into Annika's footsteps, who dominated for a decade?
ANGELA STANFORD: It all depends. It all depends on her desire and what she wants to accomplish in the game, and that's her. That's her personal choice. I told her a long time ago before she was No. 1, she would be a great No. 1 player for us and she would be a great ambassador. She's an awesome person. So it's just up to her, and then it's up to the rest of the Tour to try to knock her off. (Laughing).

PAULA CREAMER

MIKE SCANLAN: Paula, thanks for coming in. If you would, just talk a little bit about Lorena's tournament, what it means for the Tour and just being here in Guadalajara.
PAULA CREAMER: It's great to come back to Guadalajara. It's a great golf course, and they do a good job in hosting us. It's a lot of fun to come to her home where she grew up and learned how to play. It's pretty exciting to come here.

Q. Can you talk about your health. You said on Twitter you were not eating here.
PAULA CREAMER: I brought about 40 pounds of food. It's not Mexico, but my body can't handle it right now. I have to be extra careful of what I eat, oils and stuff my body doesn't agree with. I've been to México, and so I have to be extra careful of what to eat. I do all right and do the best I can with what I have and probably that they have here, but just that one time, my whole body, and I have to be very, very careful.

Q. Can you talk about your Tweeting?
PAULA CREAMER: Well, Twitter, it's a good way to interact with your fans. Sometimes I go overboard on it, but just kind of to let people know what you're doing on a daily basis and what's going on in your life is pretty cool, and I follow other athletes, just to see what they do.

Q. How can you describe your year, kind of bittersweet?
PAULA CREAMER: It's been very hard this year, but for the most part ‑‑ what I had ‑‑ my body, and so far it's been pretty good. There was times where I really didn't I think was going to be able to make it out there, but hopefully 2009 is almost done and 2010 will be a lot better.

Q. Do you think that right now in your preseason ‑‑
PAULA CREAMER: Or like next ‑‑ oh, definitely. Probably for the past couple of months ‑‑ since December, I'm going to get some rest and take a vacation. I'll work out and all that but no golf, just a little rest and a break. It's been a really hard year and I want do be able to take back with me some positives.

Q. You're one of most popular players in México. How do you feel about that?
PAULA CREAMER: It's very nice. It's much better than being the worst, or the most hated golfer here. (Laughter).

I think it's very nice, considering we only come here four times a year, and to have a fan base, it's very nice and it makes it a lot of fun coming out.

Q. Can you talk about the Solheim Cup, give us your highlights?
PAULA CREAMER: Solheim was great. It's always fun representing your country. It was a great team and the captain, Beth Daniel, did a wonderful job. It came down to the wire, it really did, and all of the memories that come from it, I'm looking forward to the next one in Ireland already.

Q. What are your expectations for this tournament? How do you see the other players?
PAULA CREAMER: Well, I'm starting to hit the ball a lot better. I switched back to my old irons right now. I've kind of done some equipment changes. I feel like I'm starting to hit the ball with a little bit more power, and I'm starting to putt the ball actually, instead of missing. But I feel prepared. I like this golf course. It sets up really well for my game, so I feel like I should be in contention coming in on Sunday.

MIKE SCANLAN: Jiyai, thanks for coming in and welcome to Guadalajara. As you know you are already the (Louise Suggs Rolex) Rookie of the Year, and now you're trying to become the (Rolex) Player of the Year. Can you talk about your year?
JIYAI SHIN: Yeah, at the beginning of the year my goal was Rookie of the Year and now I have a chance for the Player of the Year, I'm really happy that I have a chance to be Player of the Year. I just want to play my golf and do my best.

Q. It wasn't that long ago that you won Rookie of the Year, do you feel a lot of pressure?
JIYAI SHIN: No, I don't have a lot of pressure, I'm just excited.

Q. The last time that we talked to you, you were not very sure if you were going to play in this tournament. When did you decide to change your schedule and add this tournament?
JIYAI SHIN: I have to play 20 percent (of events in Japan). I wasn't sure I was going to come. It just makes sense ‑‑ and then, yeah, I want to come for Player of the Year points.

Q. What's your thoughts on playing in Lorena's home?
JIYAI SHIN: Yes, she grew up playing on this course and it's my first time that I play. And this is my second ‑‑ and the weather is perfect, so first I enjoy Mexican food.

Q. You really don't feel any pressure?
JIYAI SHIN: Well, this is my first season on Tour and I already made my goal, and I think I had chance for Player of the Year – a bonus thing for me, so my thinking is more easy and simple. In June, I won Wegmans and I got the top of the money ranking and Player of the Year race. Then I put pressure on myself. Not focused on my game, just Player of the Year, then after Wegmans, my play was ups and the downs. After I won Arkansas, my feel was more comfortable. I don't know why. I still have that comfortable feel. I have only two events left. A little bit tired, but I'm now I'm waiting for the Rookie of the Year award next week. I want Player of the Year too. I just try my best.

Q. There are so many good Korean players. Do you have a competition? You'll be the best Korean.
JIYAI SHIN: Lots of Korean players playing on the LPGA Tour and we are all really good. We are just happy to be playing on LPGA. That is the best thing. We have big dreams on the LPGA Tour.

Q. Do you have a competition on who is the best player? Because you are the best Korean.
JIYAI SHIN: Should be (laughter). Just kidding. I'm sorry (laughter). Every Korean player is a good player and also, the other countries, the players are good. It's a really hard question.

Q. How is your relationship with Lorena?
JIYAI SHIN: I really like the way she plays. I played with her in Korea. She's a good friend on and off the course, too. All the time, she wants to hear my song. She is always waiting to hear my song. She is a good rival on the course, too.

Q. Lorena is big here in Mexico. How do people look at you in your country?
JIYAI SHIN: Getting bigger (laughter). I've played four years in Korea, so not enough time. I feel I am getting bigger. Not huge, but a little bit bigger.

MICHELLE WIE

MIKE SCANLAN: Michelle, thank you for coming in. Welcome to the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, your first trip here to this event. Have you been to Guadalajara before?
MICHELLE WIE: No, I haven't, no.

MIKE SCANLAN: If you would, talk about being here in Guadalajara and playing at an event and hosted by the world No. 1.
MICHELLE WIE: It's a really cool city, what I've seen so far there are some really beautiful buildings around here. We drove around a little bit yesterday and went out to eat and it's just really nice. It's just really nice to be in a different country, somewhere where people don't speak English, is kind of cool.

And also, the golf course is amazing. Looking out this window, it kind of reminds me of home a little bit, and it's nice weather is warm.

Q. What do you think about your season so far you? Are you satisfied?
MICHELLE WIE: I feel like I've done well, but I want to do better. I'm not 100 percent satisfied about what I did this season. I had a lot of fun playing in all of the tournaments and traveling a lot. And I did feel like I had a lot of good results out there, but I do feel like I need to improve a lot, and do better in these last two events.

Q. Your expectations about this tournament?
MICHELLE WIE: My expectations, you know, I expect myself to try my hardest here this week, play my hardest and to have fun. And obviously to play really well to win, that would be my No. 1 goal. But like always, just try my hardest and to have fun.

Q. What does this mean for you to play with the best players in this tournament?
MICHELLE WIE: It's just a great experience for me. I just feel it's an honor to be here in the top 35, to be surrounded by the best golfers in the world, and to be playing in Lorena's event and to be in her hometown; and just to be playing somewhere where she grew up, I think it's really cool. I think it's going to be a lot of fun this week.

Q. How is the ankle doing and what made you come here? Are you feeling better with your ankle and how did that influence your thinking?
MICHELLE WIE: It's a tricky situation. It still hurts from time to time, but I got a tape job and I ice it and such. It shouldn't be too big of a problem. You know, I just want to come here and play. I haven't really played in a while and especially because it's Lorena's event, I wanted to come. I think it's going to be an enjoyable week.

Q. How important is it for you to get a victory? How much will that change your outlook on the course? Do you feel pressure to finally break through and win a tournament, and when is the last time you played?
MICHELLE WIE: Well, there's a lot of internal pressure as well as external pressure. Everyone is hyping it up but I really want to win. I really want to break through and get it. But it's not an easy thing to do, and I've just been working really hard on it. I do notice that there are a lot of things to improve to get that first one, but it would just be so fantastic if I could get that first win very soon.

Q. When is the last time you played?
MICHELLE WIE: Alabama (Navistar LPGA Classic Presented by Monaco RV), four weeks.

Q. You didn't lose a single point this year at the Solheim Cup. Were you surprised that your first time out there would be that good, and what was the best part besides winning?
MICHELLE WIE: I was very nervous going into the Solheim Cup. My captains and my team, they really helped me to stay calm and they just kept talking me into it. I felt like it was a game really. It was really fun.

And just getting to know all of those girls a lot better and spending a lot of time with them was a unique experience. I think golf is such a solo sport, you're always out there by yourself, but being in a team, being on a team, I just felt it was a really nice change of pace, and it was just really motivating to be around the best American players and the best European players. It was just so much excitement and motivation and just to represent your country, it was a great feeling.

Q. Who do you feel are the strongest rivals in this tournament?
MICHELLE WIE: I think everyone in the field. I think everyone in the world is a really strong player, and I think I just have to go out there and play my best and play well.

Q. Could you express in your mind a little bit about Lorena Ochoa?
MICHELLE WIE: Obviously she's one of the best players out there. I just think she's really nice, as well. I've gotten to play a couple of practice rounds with her and got to know her a little bit. She's just really cool. She's an awesome person and a really good player.

Q. I was reading some quotes from you that you are a more happy person right now. Can you describe for me what you mean to be more happy now than you were before? And the question is, how is Stanford helping you to share your life with golf?
MICHELLE WIE: Well, I guess growing up and just I've been through like a weird phase, a kind of growing up phase, just ups and downs. I feel like I've come to terms with my crazy life. I've just come to terms that my life isn't going to be perfect all the time.

I've just been stressing about it a lot less. You know, golf is just a game, and life, if you're not happy, then it's not worth it, whatever you're doing. I just try to find joys in other things and I enjoy to do other things, as well. You know, life's been pretty good. I've been pretty fortunate. Just been trying to find the good things and realize that I am fortunate.

But I think Stanford, also, is very helpful; that it does cause a lot of stress in my life at times, but I think the friends definitely makeup for it and the life experience that I gain from it.

Q. Having played here now with the best players in the world, where do you see that your game needs to be? What specific areas?
MICHELLE WIE: It's hard to say. It changes every day, what I need to work on. I just feel like overall, I just have to put things together better.

You know, by playing ‑‑ there's four rounds in a tournament. If I can just get my all four rounds to be a little more consistent with one another, I think it would be great. I think I just have to be a little bit better and hopefully just get a little more lucky.