KPMG WOMEN'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

June 24, 2021

Dottie Ardina

Atlanta Athletic Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Dottie, a 2-under round today after the first day at the KPMG Women's Championship. How are you feeling off the course?

DOTTIE ARDINA: The course is really, really in great shape. It's like a lot of -- well, some of the holes in the back are pretty tough for a short hitter, but I was just trying to have fun out there.

Q. I think also with all the rain it's playing incredibly soft and incredibly long because of that. Do you feel that?

DOTTIE ARDINA: Oh, definitely there's some holes that are long for me, like I've hit a lot of 3 hybrids and 4 hybrids, so I just try to manage it with hit it in the middle or try to just hit it on the green, not even go for the flag, and just par is always nice in a major.

Q. Exactly. And under par, finishing under par, just as nice. I feel like we just had the U.S. Women's Open just a handful of days ago like a month ago. What was it like preparing for the KPMG Women's Championship for you?

DOTTIE ARDINA: Every week is a learning experience for me. I think for everybody too. It's just I try to be patient out there, and consistency is very important when it comes to golf. I'm just trying hard to do that, to be consistent.

Q. Have you felt consistent in your game as of late?

DOTTIE ARDINA: I've been like -- my game has been up and down lately, but I'm still learning. So I try my best every day, every week, just day by day.

Q. Day by day, but at the same time, Filipino golf is seeming to be on the rise.

DOTTIE ARDINA: Yeah, after Yuka won the U.S. Open. Yeah, that's pretty cool.

Q. Do you know her?

DOTTIE ARDINA: I think she moved to the Philippines when she was like 8 or 9, and we live in the same area, like literally like 15 minutes away. We kind of practice at the same courses. So I knew she was going to be good one day because like the first time I met her, saw her play, I was like, wow, she's very talented. Here she is.

Q. What's it like for you as you'll get ready for tomorrow, the second round here?

DOTTIE ARDINA: I think I'm just going to stick to my plan. I was talking to my dad early this week, and he's been my mentor and my coach ever since. He just said don't be scared, just try to have fun. It's golf. It's a game. Don't take it too much serious. It's just take it shot by shot. I think he really reminds me to like just have fun out there and just play.

Q. How much does that help, especially major championship comes kind of that major championship stress and a little bit of pressure sometimes, especially on a difficult course like at AAC.

DOTTIE ARDINA: To be honest, I would focus like before I hit the shot, but while just walking at the fairway, I'm just like thinking about something else, talking about movies with my caddie or my dog. It's just something different to think than golf for 4 1/2 hours. I'm just trying to do that today. It helped.