PELICAN WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP

November 11, 2021

Danielle Kang

Pelican Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. 5-under 65. Just take us through some of your highlights ought there. Pretty colorful scorecard; a lot of the birdies.

DANIELLE KANG: Yes. It was just a very comfortable round. I hit the ball well, made some mistakes here and there, but I had some really good shots.

Made some really good swings. Had some good birdie opportunities; capitalized on them, and found out it was par 70 after the round.

Q. So you didn't know?

DANIELLE KANG: No.

Q. It's easy to forget. Golf course like Pelican Golf Club, obviously the greens are challenging. Wind felt like it got up a little bit this afternoon. How did the golf course play today?

DANIELLE KANG: The golf course played -- I don't know this golf course very well to be quite frank because I didn't compete in it this last year.

However, the golf course seems like it has a lot of -- each hole has its own defense, so I'm just trying to play around them. Like No. 1, the fairway bunker on the right just I just have to avoid that. It's a short hole. I think just managing the golf course well is the key.

Q. Haven't been playing a lot of golf since you got back from Korea. What's the last month been like for you?

DANIELLE KANG: I have been playing a lot of golf. I have gone nonstop for weeks right now. With that, I went to my best friend's wedding and I was in Korea for a week. I went and saw couple of my best friends in Korea. Just been a lot of the moving, a lot of traveling.

But that's just what I have been doing for ten years, right, so I'm kind of used to it. Instead of complaining that I'm tired or that, you know, I need a break, I actually am just really excited to keep going and keep competing.

Q. Got two more weeks left, this being one of them. What is the energy level right now? Sounds like you're not going to let yourself be tired even if you are.

DANIELLE KANG: Yeah, no. Even if I'm tired I make myself go run minimum a mile a day. It's just mind over matter, right? I'm really excited to play this last two weeks. I want to finish the season off strong.

This year has been kind of a -- been a little stale, a little stalemate year, but I got two more weeks and playing solid golf. Been knocking on some doors, so we'll see.

Q. You said you haven't obviously played this course before and you mentioned some of the challenges that each hole brings. What's the challenge in getting to know a course like this without a lot of time to really like get to know the course?

DANIELLE KANG: I just kind of -- honestly, my whole attitude is it is what it is. I don't -- couple times the sun right in your eyes on your finishing holes and I just -- I don't even know where the ball goes. I told my caddie, It doesn't really matter. I'll just go find it and hit it again.

That's just kind of my attitude this week. There is a lot of long holes out here. Depends how they set up the golf course. On 18 I couldn't even reach it yesterday. I hit driver, 3-wood and there is water. So instead of complaining about it, if they set it up the way they do I'll just play it as a par-5.

So I just go with it.

Q. What do you think about the fans? They weren't able to come here last year; you weren't either. Just the showing and just the energy that they bring to the course.

DANIELLE KANG: Yeah, I just love having fans in general. I think it's really cool that they come out and they're so cheerful and excited. I love getting claps and cheers when you make birdies and stuff.

There is a lot of younger players out here, younger kids that are watching. I think it's a really exciting game for them to watch, and I think I've had a really good group today and going to be fun for tomorrow.

Q. What positives are you taking away from today into the rest of the week?

DANIELLE KANG: I just have -- I just keep saying for the last few months that it's a process, so I just have to keep trusting my process and work on what I need to work on.

Golf courses like this, really depends how they set up the golf course -- oh, my name is up there -- how they set up the golf course, and it's not my control.

So like you said, the greens are really tough. It is really grainy and there is a top coat on it which makes the ball slide. So you just have to keep trusting your line and do the best you can.

Q. I know we'll probably talk more about this in the days and the next week. You've had a pretty solid season. Handful of top fives; lots of top tens. How would you saw assess 2021 for Danielle Kang?

DANIELLE KANG: I would say probably just -- somebody said give yourself a report card yesterday and I said probably a C+ I would say. I would have to give a plus because I've tried really hard and I've given a lot of effort. I haven't quit on anything. I always given my best efforts.

I think the word that I can give is it's just been very stale. Been a lot of frustration, excitement, but nothing just really quite exciting happening. I don't know. That's the best way I can explain it. There has been some really exciting moments. I went to the Olympics, played the Solheim, things like that.

But, I don't know, there is just -- 2021 has been a little bit more -- I think 2020 was so exciting. I just kind of like feel like I want something else. I don't know.

Q. Maybe it'll happen in the next couple weeks. Good luck this week.

DANIELLE KANG: Maybe.