PELICAN WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP

November 11, 2021

Nelly Korda

Pelican Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. You had a solid start obviously, 5-under. This was your first competitive look at the course.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah.

Q. What was it like to competitively see it and how did you adjust as the day went on?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I mean, the wind was definitely a factor today a little bit here and there, but I think I played solid. I made key putts when I needed to and I struck it quite well.

So, yeah, pretty happy with how the day went on.

Q. Did the wind swirl? Did it change directions? What did it do?

NELLY KORDA: No, it pretty much stayed consistent all day. It's just some holes were more exposed than others so the wind played a bigger factor in the shots.

Q. You played with Danielle who had a good day herself. I'm sure playing with someone who's also playing well you want to elevate your game. Did that seem like something that was maybe subconsciously bouncing around?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I think we were kind of feeding off each other in a sense a little. She was kind of up and down at the start but then made really solid birdies on I think 7, 8 -- no, 8, 9, and 10. So I think that kind of jump started her day.

But she played some solid golf toward the end as well. I think when two people are playing well, or even Yuka played pretty solid, you kind of feed off each other and the energy in the group is much better.

Q. You know obviously there is so much with you and Jin Young and how great you guys have both played this year. I've talked with Jin Young so much over the last couple months. Every time I talk to her seems like the only thing she says is win. She doesn't care about -- like there is no other care in the world but just win. Obviously when you tee it up you want to win, too. Do you have that almost same mentality where it's win or go home kind of thing?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I'm definitely very, very competitive. I go into a week wanting to win, but some weeks you don't. I feel like you learn more from the bad weeks in a sense.

So, yes, I love to win and I work really hard to win we all do, to win, but sometimes you just got to sit back and realize it's not all about winning and it's about learning as well.

Every learning experience I get I try to grow from it, and if I'm in contention, hopefully I handle it better than the week before. Obviously definitely want to win every event I tee it up in, but that's not practical.

Q. I remember you were out here watching sis last year. Did you learn anything or do you remember anything about the course from last year just walking and viewing it from a spectator perspective?

NELLY KORDA: Well, I've actually played this golf course before. It's just new, it's a lot firmer. It was lot firmer. The greens are definitely very receptive now.

But all in all, it's a solid golf course. I mean, the greens are the defense of this place and they're very tricky. If the wind -- we're so close to the water and if the wind gets up it'll make it a very tricky golf course.

Q. When did you play it?

NELLY KORDA: Oh, my God. Over a year ago. Like a long time ago.

Q. I think I remember you talking about that last year.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah.

Q. Last one for you. Obviously ball-striking is always important, but you know golf as good as anybody else obviously. It's not perfect. How important is short game on a course like this with the undulations, run-offs, false fronts, and all that?

NELLY KORDA: For sure, yeah. It's also key to kind of miss it in the right areas here because there is a lot of undulations in the greens.

But it's bermuda. A lot of people struggle with chipping off bermuda. There is different types of bermuda. This is not as grainy as one I practice on.

But chipping, I think that's what people struggle with the most when they come out here and play in Florida, is chipping off this stuff. If you miss it it's definitely not always an easy one, but I think it helps being from Florida.

Q. Remind me where you're practicing?

NELLY KORDA: Concession.