HILTON GRAND VACATIONS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

January 20, 2022

Nelly Korda

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Nelly Korda who just opened her LPGA Tour season with a 4-under 68 at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Nelly, lots of up and downs on your round. You were 2-over through your first four holes.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah.

Q. What happened there, and then the nice run of three birdies to turn it all around?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I was just kind of spraying it everywhere, left, right, you name it. I was just like, Okay, so this is going to be a grind today, which it was.

I still hit some loose shots here and there coming in, but hit it close on those three holes and kind of capitalized on that.

Q. Then you turned to the back nine with an eagle on the par-5, 11. Tell us about that one. That's always fun.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, hit my drive really good, and then I had like 222 in and I hit -- it was downwind so I hit a hybrid. Hit it to probably four feet and made my first eagle of 2022. (Smiling.)

Q. Love it. Before we open it up, you're playing alongside Derek Lowe and Charles Woodson. Derek was just here in front of you so you were playing alongside one of the best in the field. Looked like you were having a lot of fun.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah. I've played with Derek every year. I make sure to request him. I love him. He actually comes out to a couple of our events, like in Naples. Comes out to CME, and he was at my win up in Grand Rapids because he's from that area. So it was really cool. We've got to know each other really well over the past couple years.

Charles I met for the first time today. He was super fun, too.

So in all it was a really solid group.

Q. I know you played last month; had a little time off. Does it feel like a new start or continuation?

NELLY KORDA: A bit of both. Obviously I haven't seen the girls in such a long time, since CME, but I haven't taken much time off. I'm not planning to play Asia, so going to take six weeks off.

And I said going into it that's going to be my off-season because I had the PNC event. I was still practicing for that. I probably took a week off of golf in all, so yeah.

Q. In the early three-birdie run, what was the highlight in there?

NELLY KORDA: Probably the first birdie because I was struggling after -- I was 2-over through 4, so that first birdie kind of gave me a little bit of confidence, a boost going into the next couple holes.

Q. What did you hit in there?

NELLY KORDA: That was that short par-4, 58 degree, and on the next hole hit a controlled little 7, and then a 7 from the rough as well on the next hole.

So my 7 was doing real well.

Q. So I don't know if you know this, but you are now the longest tenured world No. 1 American. You did know that?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I did, yeah.

Q. Okay. So how do you respond to that?

NELLY KORDA: Obviously it's an amazing feeling. I try not focus too much on world rankings because rankings come and go. It just depends how you are.

My main goal this year, which is every year, is to stay healthy. Last year I was traveling so much. I had a couple injuries here and there and the year before that as well, so I try not to focus on that.

Obviously it's a huge honor. Hopefully I'm inspiring the next generation and I'm just doing a small part of the game of golf moving forward.

Q. I know want to go back to the PNC for a minute. A lot people who wouldn't otherwise watch golf tuned into that and saw you maybe for the first time. What are the big takeaways from a that now that you've had some time to reflect on it?

NELLY KORDA: Everyone was so welcoming. I was shocked that everyone knew who I was in a sense. You know, like I grew up watching everyone of those guys play, so to me, I was a little star struck that people actually knew who I was.

It was cool because they also watch women's golf. I didn't know that. Like I'm not around those guys. Like I live on the other side of Florida. My sister maybe knows a little bit more because she lives in Jupiter so she talks to those guys.

It was really special. I mean, I played with Lee Trevino the final day and he was a blast. His favorite word is holy moly. Like it was so funny. It was just a blast to play with him and John Daly the first day, too.

They ended up winning, so it was really cool. It was something different, and my dad and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Q. There was a lot of cool stuff there, but you were the only gold medalist. I think they're going to know who you are.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah.

Q. That's pretty cool.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it is, but when you're in a field with Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk and all -- and Justin Thomas, I mean, you're like, Okay, I'm just like the odd one out. You're star struck just hitting balls next to them on the range.

Q. Now, I know you kind of said you didn't really have an off-season, but this is the start of the 2022 season. Is it kind of nice to have a more relaxed tournament where you're playing alongside celebrities to start the season off here?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I love this event. It's always a goal to get back into this event obviously. It's a lot of fun. You can kind of pick the brains of other athletes as well and share stories, which is really cool.

Yeah, it's nice, but, I mean, we're at a very tough golf course as well and we have our own individual event on the line as well. So, yeah it's a bit more relaxed, but you're still going at it 100%.

Q. Wanted to get your sense of the comparison between the setup today where you have to account for the celebrity factor as compared to last year when it was just a full-field event?

NELLY KORDA: I don't remember. I wish I remembered. I don't really remember. That feels like two years ago honestly. I don't remember how it was set up.

I think the golf course is in great condition. Greens are rolling really well. I think that's what I remember as well last year, is that the golf course is in great condition. I think the rough may be a little thicker this year, but it all like -- it's a great golf course. It's a hard track.

Q. With all you accomplished last year, is there any part of your game you look at at the start of a new season and say, I could dial that up?

NELLY KORDA: Every part of my game. I mean, mental aspect, I think even the physical aspect of it. I mean, every part of the game can get better always.

I mean, the game of golf is constantly moving forward and you kind of have to move with it. So there is girls that are coming in and playing well. You'll have weeks that are off. But I think you are constantly having to improve every part of your game. You constantly have to practice.

That's just how it is. No one is ever going to -- I wish golf could be mastered. That's a funny one. That's a good one.

Q. Who does Seby play tonight?

NELLY KORDA: I don't know, but he's seeded. Yeah, fingers crossed.

Q. Going to be able to stay up for it?

NELLY KORDA: No. God no. No chance. I'll be sleeping.

Q. Nelly Korda, what is about that course that suits your game so well?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it was a tough start for sure. I was battling with hitting it kind of all over the place, and then I just told myself that there is some gettable holes and just stay calm.

I hit it really close and made three in a row. That kind of kick started my round.

Q. A little bit of a short off-season, but you did play also in the PNC Championship with your father. Nonetheless, when you come off four wins, gold medal, first major, attain No. 1 in the world ranking, how do you set goals?

NELLY KORDA: I mean, there is always so much that you can strive for. There is different little goals and then big goals.

But I tend to be the type of person that likes to set little goals that eventually go into my big goals. There is still four of the majors that I haven't won and so much that I would like to accomplish in my career, so it's kind of easy in a sense to set goals.

Q. Your career is on the rise and so is your brother's. He plays in his third round match tonight after a brutal second round match. That starts at 11:00 pm eastern time. What will be doing?

NELLY KORDA: Sleeping. I stayed up for his past two matches, and today I was like, yeah, I'm just going to be a little selfish and prepare for my round tomorrow.

I'll keep my fingers crossed in my sleep.