Kia Classic Interviews
Kia Classic
Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms
City of Industry, Calif.
Final-round notes and interviews
March 27, 2011
Sandra Gal -16, Rolex Rankings No. 100
Jiyai Shin -15, Rolex Rankings No. 2
Sandra Gal outlasted Rolex Rankings No. 2 Jiyai Shin to earn her first LPGA victory at the Kia Classic. Gal hit a wedge from 83 yards to two feet for birdie on the 18th hole to defeat Shin by a stroke and become the only Rolex First-Time winner of 2011. Gal, a native of Dusseldorf, Germany, started playing golf at the age of 6 and her father was her first golf coach. She had an accomplished amateur career, representing Germany at the European Team Championships from 2003-07 and winning the German National Girls Championship in 2003. Gal attended the University of Florida where she was a 2007 first team All-American and won four tournaments. In 2007, Gal won the Czech Invitational Championship and was the top-ranked amateur in both the European and German ranks. Gal turned professional in 2008.
Gal is the second German to record a victory on the LPGA Tour. The first was Tina Fischer in 2001. Gal’s best career finish prior to her win at the Kia Classic had been a tie for fifth at the LPGA Corning Classic in 2009. With the victory, Gal earns $255,000.
Shin rallied on the back nine Sunday but missed a four-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that would have forced a playoff with Gal. Shin, whose nickname is “Final-Round Queen,” recorded three bogeys on the front nine but made three birdies on the back nine to keep herself in contention until the final hole. Shin, who had led after the second and third rounds, finished alone in second place with a 15-under-par 277.
Golden ticket winners: Sandra Gal, Jiyai Shin and I.K. Kim punched their “Ticket to CME GroupTitleholders” at the Kia Classic. By virtue of their top three-finishes, Gal, Shin and Kim each earned a spot in the season-ending CME Group Titleholders event, which will be held Nov. 17-20, 2011 at Grand Cypress Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. The inaugural CME Group Titleholders, a season finale with a field made up of three qualifiers from every LPGA Tour tournament, is a format never previously used in professional golf.
Gal is going to Canyon Ranch. With her victory at the 2011 Kia Classic, Sandra Gal earned an all-inclusive stay for two at a Canyon Ranch resort. In a combined effort to promote health and overall well-being among Tour players, Canyon Ranch will provide every winner of an LPGA event with one all-inclusive stay at one of Canyon Ranch’s two destination resorts.
THE MODERATOR: Sandra Gal, the 2011 Kia Classic Champion; how’s that sound?
SANDRA GAL: It sounds great.
THE MODERATOR: Give us some thoughts on the day and winning your first LPGA event?
SANDRA GAL: Well, I’m a bit overwhelmed. It was an amazing day. You know, it was close all day long, so I had to kind of dig deep to pull out some shots. And Jiyai obviously didn’t have her best day but then she started rolling a few birdies in, and her irons were right on the spot every time. I’m just happy to have finally have done it. Had a good feeling about today when I woke up, so I’m happy to be sitting here now.
THE MODERATOR: That’s great. Tell us about the third shot on 18.
SANDRA GAL: I was trying to hole it. I came close, so, yeah. Pretty much just hit it where I wanted to.
Q. What club did you use?
SANDRA GAL: I hit a little grip down sand wedge.
Q. About how far were you?
SANDRA GAL: 83 yards.
Q. When Jiyai hit her putt on 18, you kind of looked like you didn’t want to look at it. You had your back to it. Was that just trying to keep your mind on your putt or did you really not want to see what it did?
SANDRA GAL: I really didn’t want to go into a playoff (laughing). But I never want to wish anyone to miss a putt. So I was just, okay, she’s probably going to make it. So I’ve just got to focus on my putt, and if it’s a playoff, it’s a playoff, you know. All day long I haven’t been watching her putts very much. I was really trying to focus on my game and not play her, but play the course.
Q. Were there any shots in the last four or five holes that will stand out to you that maybe at a point where you could have lost control of the match a little bit after she went ahead that you’re proud of hitting?
SANDRA GAL: Yeah, I know what hole is that 14 maybe, the par 4 where I knocked it over the green. I don’t know what happened. I had the right yardage. Probably some adrenaline and I really hit it solid. And I had such a hard job coming back down. That long putt was kind of like, wow, don’t want to be slipping away. But that putt that I made I think that was really big.
Q. What was all the discussion about where to place the ball? What exactly went on there?
SANDRA GAL: Well, the ball was kind of in a hole sitting down. I guess one of the spectators picked my ball up once it was moving, and then like slammed it back down into the ground. And one of the spectators kind of told me it’s sitting down. It’s not supposed to be sitting down. It was still moving on top. So the ruling was kind of put it back in place where it was last seen.
Q. You were smiling almost all afternoon after every shot. Is that how you usually are? Is that how you stay calm?
SANDRA GAL: The way I played the last six months was with a lot of smiles. I think life’s too short to not enjoy what you’re doing. And I think that’s really helped me and my attitude and my game.
Q. Does it validate it more winning this tournament against Jiyai, like going head to head with her all the way down? Does that in your mind make it more special?
SANDRA GAL: Definitely, she’s a great player. She’s No. 1. So obviously, as I said, she didn’t have her best day, but she’s a tough competitor. So I’m really happy to get on top this time.
Q. When is the last time you won a tournament?
SANDRA GAL: Last time I won a tournament, I think, was in college.
Q. And does it feel any different as a pro?
SANDRA GAL: No, not really. It’s just another golf course and you have to play your best. But I think it feels different in a way that the crowds were huge, and obviously you have TV following you. But that’s why you’re a pro.
Q. What were your thoughts when she hit it close at 18 just before you hit it?
SANDRA GAL: I kind of expected her to hit it close. So as I said, I was just trying to hole it, get it inside her or force a playoff.
Q. I’m sure you probably talked about this before. But how did you end up as a Florida Gator from Dusseldorf?
SANDRA GAL: I actually went over to Bradenton for a couple of weeks to work with Jonathan Yarwood in 2003. And he knew the college coach at Florida, and she did some recruiting in Germany too. There were a few other colleges I looked at. But I wanted to go somewhere in the south where it’s warm. And I love the school, and yeah, that’s the story.
Q. Do you know Martin well? Have you played with him?
SANDRA GAL: We played a lot of junior tournaments together, but I haven’t seen him in a few years. So I wouldn’t say I know him well, but we are from the same area of Germany.
Q. Did you always want to go to college? You didn’t think about going pro early or anything?
SANDRA GAL: No, never. I was not ready.
Q. You said that you’ve been playing with a lot of smiles in the last six months. What changed that? Well you insinuated that it changed.
SANDRA GAL: I think just a couple injuries that I had in the beginning last season, a few cuts I missed there made me realize that this is my job. And you’ve got to love what you’re doing, and I wasn’t loving it. So I just changed my attitude towards it. I’m really thankful for what I’m doing and the game I play. You know, that’s made it such a big change. Part of it is also my team, having my parents around, my coaches, Andrew Park, having Callaway with me. So all of that together makes it happen.
Q. The crowd was pretty much in Jiyai’s side. Did you notice that? Did it bother you at all or did it not make any difference?
SANDRA GAL: No, it didn’t bother me at all. I think it was great how they cheered for Jiyai. Probably put a little more pressure on her, I think. I was kind of like an underdog, so I didn’t have anything to lose.
Third-round notes & interview
Rolex Rankings No. 2 Jiyai Shin leads by a shot entering the final round of the Kia Classic. Shin bogeyed the 18th hole to give her a one-shot lead at 15-under-par 204 over Sandra Gal. Shin carded five birdies and two bogeys for a three-under-par 70 on Saturday. An eight-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Shin is seeking her first victory of the season at the Kia Classic and is quickly approaching the $4 million mark in career earnings. This is Shin’s fourth LPGA event of the season and her best finish so far in 2011 is a tie for 11th at the HSBC Women’s Champions in Singapore.
Sandra Gal is chasing the leader Shin by one stroke, after shooting a 3-under 70 in the third round. Gal finished up her second round on Saturday morning when play resumed at 7:30 a.m. and went 3-under on the back nine to put her within a stroke of Shin entering the third round. Gal kept herself within a stroke of Shin by tallying four birdies and one bogey in Saturday’s third round. Gal’s career best finish is a tie for fifth at the LPGA Corning Classic in 2009.
Jiyai Shin -15 Rolex Rankings No. 2; Sandra Gal -14, Rolex Rankings No. 100
SANDRA GAL, Rolex Rankings No. 100
THE MODERATOR: Welcome back. Another good round today. Just some thoughts?
SANDRA GAL: Yeah, thank you. Yeah, I’m pretty happy with the way I played today. It was pretty steady. Wish a few more birdies had fallen. I just kept ramming the edges of the hole. But I’m not complaining. I’m happy.
Q. Talk about the amount of golf that you played today and how that affected you?
SANDRA GAL: Yeah, I know it was 27 holes. But to be honest with you, I thought it was to my advantage to come out early and get a feel for the course and the conditions. So I didn’t quite mind it. At the end I felt a little bit tired. I lost concentration on a couple of shots, but that happens when you play that much.
Q. How cold was it out there especially at the end? I saw girls putting mittens on and putting jackets on.
SANDRA GAL: Yeah, it was pretty cold, I would say, the last five or six holes. I didn’t want to put another jacket on so I could swing. I already have four or five layers. But it’s not too bad. I prefer that over really, really hot weather.
Q. Yesterday I think you said you didn’t feel so well. Did you feel physically better today?
SANDRA GAL: A little bit, yeah. It’s more affected my night sleep, but I’m feeling better today than yesterday. Thanks for asking.
Q. Tomorrow will be a little like match play, won’t it, with you two?
SANDRA GAL: Yeah, I suppose so. I didn’t look too much on the leaderboard. I don’t know who is behind us. But I saw Na Yeon Choi played well, I think. Yeah, it will be. Jiyai’s playing really well. She’s sticking every iron on the pin. So I think I’m just going to focus on my own game and play the course.
Q. When you saw that ball go in the water on 18, though, did that make you think you had a chance to pick up a shot?
SANDRA GAL: I told my caddie, wow, she’s not a machine, you know. I thought she was (laughing). But, yeah, she hits it really straight.
Q. You had an injury last year a little bit that slowed you down. Can you refresh my memory what that was and how long you’ve been healthy?
SANDRA GAL: Okay. Yeah, I had a little bit of back problems, lower back problems, just muscular. Then my left wrist, my tendon was a bit inflamed starting in April or May of last year. Kind of flared up a little bit in the winter, but this is just precaution, yeah. It probably affected me the first half of last season.
Q. Did you go to many basketball games when you were at Florida, and did you know they lost today to Butler?
SANDRA GAL: Oh, no, I didn’t know that. I went to a few, yeah. I definitely like basketball, and I’m always cheering for the Gators.
Second-round notes & interview
Q. So just talk a little bit about having to go out there and start your round and not finish it, then go back and do it in the morning?
SANDRA GAL: Yeah, I’m actually fine with it. I’m a little bit sick yesterday and the last couple of days. I actually had breakfast and then I felt like going back to bed, so that’s exactly what I did. Playing nine holes was actually quite nice. I look forward to coming out tomorrow early.
Q. Do you feel better now?
SANDRA GAL: I do a little bit, yes.
Q. Is it frustrating at all? You kind of got hot the last two holes you played. Made three birdies in your last four. Is it frustrating to get on a roll like that and then have to stop?
SANDRA GAL: Not really, you know. I think I’ll just have a fresh start tomorrow, and it doesn’t bother me.
First-round notes and interviews
March 24, 2011
Amanda Blumenherst -7, Rolex Rankings No. 86S
Sandra Gal -6, Rolex Rankings No. 100 Michelle Wie -5, Rolex Rankings No. 11
SANDRA GAL, Rolex Rankings No. 100
THE MODERATOR: Welcome, good playing today. Just some thoughts on the round?
SANDRA GAL: Well, I’m happy with my result. I didn’t really expect anything, just went out there and tried to hit fairways and greens, and I managed to do that. I really liked the course in my practice round. I felt like it suited my game, and, yeah, so I enjoyed the round.
THE MODERATOR: The four straight birdies, what happened there? Did you just start making some putts?
SANDRA GAL: Well, I went off to a good start, and then in the middle of the round I faltered a little bit. So I think I just got a little bit mad at myself making bogey on 10. I was within 7 feet and made three putt. So after that I tried to steady the ship a little bit. Once you can hit it close and roll the putts then the birdies are coming.
Q. What about the course do you like? The length or the way it’s set up or in particular what do you like about it?
SANDRA GAL: I really like that every hole is totally different. It feels like every hole is a new adventure. It’s not kind of one of those courses where you don’t remember number 6 or something. Although I don’t want to call myself on that, but every hole is really different. Just a beautiful set up. Lots of ups and downs and hilly. You’ve got to hit the right tier, so I just enjoy that.
Q. You said that the course suits your game. How so?
SANDRA GAL: I think it’s a ball striker’s course. You’ve got to hit the fairway and be precise with your yardages. So I think that’s my game.
Q. You wouldn’t consider yourself a long hitter by any means?
SANDRA GAL: I do.
Q. Because it’s been playing into that sounds like that’s another advantage that it’s been playing for the long hitters?
SANDRA GAL: Yes.
Q. Do you think it will stay that way the rest of the week if the conditions dry out?
SANDRA GAL: I heard we’re supposed to have some more rain maybe overnight. So I suppose tomorrow could be wet too, but that’s one day Tuesday that was sunny that really dried out the course for Wednesday. So I think it can dry out pretty quickly for the weekend.
Q. So will you have the same advantage, do you think, if it does dry out or will it be not as much of an advantage? How do you think it will play out if it dries out?
SANDRA GAL: You still got to hit the fairway and the greens (laughing). It might be more favorable to the shorter hitters, definitely. But, you know, I don’t think it’s going to change much.
Q. Nothing considerable?
SANDRA GAL: No.
Q. Had you heard anything about this course before arriving here, its reputation?
SANDRA GAL: No, I didn’t.
SANDRA GAL: I think before I started the first one off of four, I made like a 9 footer for par, so that I think kind of got me going. No magic, really. I just hit it close to the pin and focused on making the putt and that was really it.
Q. Would you say you putted well today?
SANDRA GAL: Yes.
Source: LPGA.com, 3/2011