HUGEL AIR PREMIA LA OPEN

April 21, 2021

Nelly Korda

Wilshire Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. 5-under par 66; six birdies and an eagle today. Let's start with the eagle. Take us through that hole and how it came about.

NELLY KORDA: I had a pitching wedge in and I just hit it really good. Never left the flag. One-hopped and I guess it rolled in. Didn't even see it because that green is a bit undulated.

So thankfully the group in front of us started clapping so that was cool. I was like, Oh, cool.

Q. Has to start off on the right foot to have something like that on a course that seems like it can play a little hard.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, the greens are definitely the defense of this golf course. Makes it very hard.

I'm 0-2 out here, so I'm hoping to make some better memories this year. Hopefully I'm off to a good start.

Q. I think -- did I see five or six other birdies today? Any particular one of those stand out more than the others?

NELLY KORDA: I hit some really close. On 11 I hit it to tap-in range. It's definitely nice when you have those tap-ins out here, and you also have -- when you do make a par, the key is to hit your first putt close, not leave yourself the longer putt.

I kind of learned that hopefully over the past two, three years, and I can take that into the next three days.

Q. What is it about Wilshire? Obviously you mentioned what makes it challenging. What makes it unique compared to other courses we play?

NELLY KORDA: I think just an old school type of golf course. You don't really see just the way it's laid out. I feel like all the greens are very close to the tees and it kind of reminds you of an English golf course in a way because everything is so close together.

But, yeah, the greens are definitely the defense here. Po in the afternoon gets really tricky, so I think just the layout and everything intertwines out here.

Q. You started the year off with ten straight rounds under par and kind of have -- everybody was all up in arms how amazing that was. This was your 12th straight round under par. I think was at Golden Ocala seemed like you were dead tired, just needed a little break. What is it about this stretch now that you seem to have found another groove? How have you done that?

NELLY KORDA: I think every tournament you kind of learn more about yourself. I was honestly so exhausted on the weekend of Ocala. I was exhausted on Tuesday after the wind. I was like, I give props to the people that win back-to-back. Honestly, it was tough. You're mentally exhausted.

Just making sure I take some time off. Just try to have some fun, rejuvenate yourself, keep yourself fresh. That's most important. And not to take things too seriously. I'm 0-2 out here, so I'm just going in with a better mindset to take it a shot at a time and see where it goes.

Q. I think you took Kia off if I remember.

NELLY KORDA: No, I played Kia.

Q. Jess took Kia off.

NELLY KORDA: Yes.

Q. You've been playing?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I've played everything. I'm taking Asia off. Not going over. I'll be back in Kingsmill.