Q. This year, you’ve had a lot happen. Looking back, how was it? 

"The lower tour was a 'do-or-die' season for me. But I believed that if I stuck to my own golf, I would get good results, and that came true in the summer, so I think it was a good year."

 ──   The phrase "do-or-die" is striking, and you mentioned it a bit in an online article, right?

"That's right. The article might have exaggerated a bit, but it's true that I was thinking about many things beyond golf. Still, as long as I can compete, my job is to aim for victory. I think I didn't lose heart even in close situations."

──   What was your primary thought? "Important people" or "golf"? Which was more significant?

"I think both are correct. After all, my goal is to succeed on the regular tour. I also thought that if I couldn't do it, I should quit."

Q. You won twice on the ACN Tour. Could you tell us again how you felt the moment you won?

"The first time I won, it didn't feel real. I was waiting for the group behind me, and then I got doused with water, and that's when I felt, 'I really won.' When I went to the awards ceremony, I finally felt that I had truly finished in first place."

 ──   Was there a turning point in your first victory?

"It was a game of pushing for birdies, but on the long hole in the first half of the final day, I sank a long eagle putt that normally wouldn't go in. I thought, 'Is this my week?' Then I got a birdie on the next short hole, and I knew, 'Today's my day.' I kept pushing and won."

Q. You seemed to win with a lot of momentum. Did you feel like you were in the zone?

"I think I was in the zone during my first victory. I was nervous, but my putts were going in, and I was scary calm. I got nervous when I saw the leaderboard on the final hole, but until then, I was just focused on getting birdies."

──   When you were under pressure, did you do anything to calm yourself down?

"Nothing in particular, but I drank water very frequently. I get thirsty when I'm nervous. It was summer, so I always had it with me."

Q. After winning, do you feel there are parts of you that have changed?

"I've become able to look at myself calmly and objectively. I've been able to reduce distractions to focus on each shot in front of me, I guess. I'm able to stay very calm during matches."

──   Has the reaction of those around you changed?

"It's changed a lot (laughs). I get teased more, and I've become recognized by the tour officials. I realized that winning changes things this much."

──   Did you hear from your college friends, juniors, and family?

"I don't usually keep in touch much, but that day, I received an abnormal amount of messages (laughs). I was happy."

──   I also remember being so excited that I contacted you (laughs).