JTBC CLASSIC PRESENTED BY BARBASOL

March 25, 2022

Nanna Koerstz

Aviara Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Nanna Koerstz Madsen. You've got this golf course figured out so far. 5-under 67. Counting up the birdies, you had seven on the card today; just 28 putts. What's going so well for you this week?

NANNA KOERSTZ MADSEN: Yeah, I figured out this year; I haven't figured out the other years. I'm definitely playing better this year than I've done previous years I played.

I have confidence out there winning like two weeks ago. Yeah, making a lot of good putts and hitting a lot of greens.

Q. So greens seem to be the key for you. Were there any shots that stuck out to you in particular?

NANNA KOERSTZ MADSEN: In the beginning I hit a lot of shots really close, so there was a couple easy birdies.

Then I made a little mistake on 8. I did actually hit a good shot, but it was just short. That's what happens.

Yeah, I hit a lot good shots too, a lot of good chances out there.

Q. What have you been working on the with your ball striking that seemed to come to fruition this week? Obviously you have a lot of confidence in your game right now, but what in particular in your game have you seen?

NANNA KOERSTZ MADSEN: I'm trying to be very functional, not going too technical into this stuff.

I'm still doing my drills that I have to do for my arms not to drop too much. But, yeah, trying to stay a little functional in the practice as well.

Q. You talked about that win and how much confidence it's given you. Let's be honest, you get the monkey off your back you feel a little bit lighter, you can tell in your body language that you're a little bit lighter. Do you just feel more relaxed out there now?

NANNA KOERSTZ MADSEN: I would say so, yeah, especially on the first tee. I don't know, it just changes you a little bit I guess having a win on your back, especially so recently.

So, yeah, definitely took some pressure off.

Q. Sitting at 11-under right now; still got some golf left to play, but you'll be near the top of the leaderboard heading into the weekend, a place that you're now pretty comfortable. What's the mindset going into Saturday and Sunday?

NANNA KOERSTZ MADSEN: Same as the last two days. I need to stay a little bit more positive than I've done today. I had some -- two bad breakouts out there.

But, yeah, staying positive, try not to get too emotional out there, then I'll be fine.

Q. Speaking of some of those emotions, in the past you had the lemons in your bag. What do you do now when you get in those negative headspaces?

NANNA KOERSTZ MADSEN: Yeah, I don't have the lemons anymore, but, I don't know, I talk a lot with Nicki, my caddie. But in the end he's always like, I can't help you. It's you who has to get out of this situation.

So I just try to say it doesn't help me -- I've done it a lot, I've ruined a lot of rounds for myself getting too angry on the course, so just saying it doesn't help.

I think it's okay getting a little pissed at yourself out there, as long as you get back into it really quick.

Yeah.

Q. How long does it usually take you to regroup in that situation?

NANNA KOERSTZ MADSEN: Well, it used to be if I made a birdie I could come back, but now I really try to focus on the next shot, because I don't want to make bogey, bogey. Like if I can bounce back really quick, then I'll be good again.

Q. Where have you found the ability to channel that? Like you said, it's okay to get pissed if you use it for something positive.

NANNA KOERSTZ MADSEN: Yeah.

Q. Have you found the ability to channel that in recent years?

NANNA KOERSTZ MADSEN: Yeah, the last year and a half I've worked a lot with my mental coach back in Denmark. It's really -- everything is just about being positive, having good energy out there, trying to smile as much as you can.

If you are smiling, it's really impossible actually be mad. Yeah, a lot of good energy out there.

Q. Here with the most recent winner on the LPGA Tour, two weeks ago in Thailand. Nanna, off to another solid start here this week. What's been the key to your recent success?

NANNA KOERSTZ MADSEN: Well, I have confidence out there. I've made a lot of good putts out there.

Today I hit love more fairways, which made me able to set up more birdie chances.

Yeah, a lot of good stuff.

Q. Now that you know what it takes to be a winner out here on tour, but with a player like Jin Young Ko also in the mix heading into the weekend, how will you approach the next two days?

NANNA KOERSTZ MADSEN: You cannot think about what Jin Young Ko is doing. If she decides that she wants to play good, then no one can really follow her.

But as long as I'm doing what I can do, then that's good for me. If I stay positive out there, then I'm happy with that.