HILTON GRAND VACATIONS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

January 21, 2022

Nelly Korda

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Nelly Korda; jump to the top of the leaderboard with a round of 66. Bunch of birdies out there; just one bogey. We were here talking to someone else and heard a roar on 18. It was clearly your birdie. Tell us about how you ended your round in style.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I missed probably a 10-footer for birdie on 17, which I was disappointed with. It was nice to roll that one in on 18 going into the weekend.

I couldn't give Derek all the glory on 18. He stuffed it to like two feet, so it's fun.

Q. You seem to be in a really good mood. Two solid round. Tell us the story of your round today. Bunch of birdies, one bogey. How are you feeling now?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, feeling good. Hopefully I can continue that momentum going into the weekend. I've had such great groups. I've had Derek the past two days, and on top of that I had Kevin today.

I played with Kevin almost every year. I think the only year we didn't play together was last year. So I love those two. They're pretty much my favorite. I always request them going into this event.

So it was honestly a blast to have them both in one group.

Q. Die-hard Red Sox fan here, so...

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it's a lot of fun.

Q. What does it do atmosphere-wise from what you're used to, just keeping it light, what does that do for you as competitor?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it's nice. It's kind of like the best of both worlds because you can keep it light and chat with them, but you also have to concentrate, execute the shots. At the end of the day this is an official event as well.

As I said, I played with Derek the past two days and I played with Kevin today. They know that I need to concentrate when I'm above the ball. But I kind of separate the two. It's also a lot of fun to walk down fairways and laugh nonstop.

Q. How long was the putt at 18?

NELLY KORDA: I don't know. Probably like 15-ish, 17-ish feet.

Q. With all the birdies today, did you feel pretty sharp? Feel like you're hitting it close?

NELLY KORDA: I had a couple loose shots still today. They weren't bad enough where I missed the green. I was still on the green.

In all, I think I can continue improving going into the weekend and hopefully tighten up some loose ends.

Q. I asked Derek this question: Is he your good luck charm or are you his?

NELLY KORDA: Both. I would say both, and I'm hoping he said the same thing.

Q. All he said was he hoped that you guys were able to get paired again tomorrow.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah. Honestly, it's so much fun with him. As I said yesterday, he came to my win in Grand Rapids, too. Even Jason my caddie, we've grown to be really close since the first year of that event.

Q. Sometimes when you draw somebody and you never played with them before takes a little bit of time to adjust, especially them to what you're trying to do to win a golf tournament. Was it a natural thing for you and Derek and Kevin?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I mean, I've played with both of them in the years prior, but...

Q. I was kind of going back to the first time.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, first time I don't even remember. Gosh, that's a long time. No, I mean, you take it how it is. You play with girls sometimes in regular events you've never played with. They're fun to talk to and it's just a fun, cool event.

Q. You won here 11 months ago. What do you carry over in terms of good vibes of a place where you've held a trophy?

NELLY KORDA: Oh, here. Yeah, I guess it's very similar to the golf course I play at Concession. I kind of feel more at home here. I love the golf course, love the layout. I love that it's a good challenge, the rough is pretty thick this year, too.

So I kind of like to embrace those challenges.