-- In this off-season, what did you mainly focus on achieving?

Yano
I spent my time focusing on body strength and achieving a more accurate swing. Right now, I’m in good shape, and even though I’m definitely not headed in the wrong direction with my swing, I also unfortunately can’t say that my swing has spectacularly improved.

-- In January, you participated in the Sony Open on the US tour and in March you played in the WGC-CA Championship. You’ve already played in two tournaments before the Japan tour opener. How was it competing overseas?

Yano
At the CA Championship, I wouldn’t go so far as to call it my golf path, but I did realize that if I didn’t fully establish my own golf style I wasn’t going to achieve results. The good weather was also a factor, so before I knew it I found myself hitting shots with high trajectories.

-- Despite everything, what do you feel like you gained from the experience?

Yano
There were definitely things I could not have learned without actually going out and competing and actually playing on that stage. I think just having that experience was beneficial. I played with all kinds of golfers, and, it was the same at last year’s British Open, what I felt again is that I have to use my own shot – a fade shot kept low - to attack the course. I've already qualified for the last three world majors of the season, so I’d really like to put this experience to use in those tournaments.

-- That’s right, you’ve already qualified for three world majors. Congratulations.

Yano
Thanks very much. I’ve qualified for those majors, but I had already decided previously to go to Q school (qualifying school - a series of tournaments for gaining tour qualification) for the US tour, so I really just want to stay focused on the goals I’ve set. With the majors, I’m not just looking to participate. I really want to be playing in top form, so I intend to concentrate hard on refining my game.

-- With the Japan tour opener coming up, how do you feel and where do you think your game is at?

Yano
At the Sony Open in January, I felt great. After that, however, there were some periods before and after training in Guam where I didn’t touch a club, so I feel like I’m a little below where I should be. However, after doing swing training together with the tour pro coach Yuji Naito and doing a lot of thinking on my own about getting myself back on track, I feel that I can surpass what I achieved last year. Once the tour starts, if I'm able to perform as I have up until now and I'm able to control the ball, I think I’ll be ready to compete in any tournament.

-- What are your goals and what’s your motto for this year?

Yano
First, I’d like to do better than last year by winning three times. But, of course, I'd like to win more than that if possible. If I chose a motto for this year, I think it would be “a stronger Azuma Yano”. Last year, a lot of people commented that I was playing well and that I was in top form. This year, if I can achieve definite results, I expect a lot of people will say I’m even stronger. Last year, I basically just gained confidence (laughs) and I really worked at building body strength in the off-season, so it all depends now on making adjustments.

I say adjustments, but I'm definitely not playing poorly at all, and I’m not at a level where I can’t control how I’m playing. I’m really looking to see how I can develop the strongest game possible to compete at the highest level. In that sense, I haven't completely finished refining my game.

It’s still a bit cold in Japan, but I think I'll be at full power from about May. I hope you’ll all be supporting me.

-- We are expecting even bigger things from you this year. We hope you show fans that the strength they see now with PRGR is something they can always expect.

Yano
I’ll do my best. (End)