THE CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP

April 1, 2022

Jennifer Kupcho

Mission Hills Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Jennifer Kupcho, 2-under 70 to back up your opening 66. Just talking about it was kind of a grind out there; 15 pars in a row. How did you finally break through for that first birdie?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Honestly I was just not hitting it hard enough to keep it on line. The greens were a little bit slower this afternoon compared to yesterday morning.

But, yeah, just kept hitting putts. Caddie kept telling me to just keep hitting your stroke, keep hitting your line, eventually they'll go in.

They finally did.

Q. How did you stay patient in those situations? Again, that's exhausting.

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Yeah, I wouldn't say I stayed very patient. I definitely got a little angry.

But, yeah, just kept -- I mean, I threw in a piece of gum. That kind of tends to keep me more chill, and that certainly helps when I made the turn.

Q. Let's talk your ball striking; 11 of 14 fairways hit, matching your first round. You hit two more greens today. How key is that for you over the course of the this season and this event?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Yeah, I think ball striking is always pretty good. Specifically out on a major golf course, it's kind of the name of the game to hit fairways and greens.

That's kind of my game, so I feel like I play better.

Q. Speaking of playing better, you played with Lizette Salas the first two days. Big Solheim buddies. How much fun are your rounds playing with such a good friend?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Way more fun. I definitely talk a lot more. I'm sure the fans out here saw that I am definitely a different person when I'm playing with a really good friend.

It's more fun and I can just be myself with someone that I know really well.

Q. The last few weeks with Nanna Koerstz Madsen in the mix we're talked a lot about how she's worked to manage some of her emotions on the course. She used to suck on lemon slices but worked through that. How do you manage when you have the moments where you get upset and angry to get back into things?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Honestly, I think, as everybody knows, I wear my heart on my sleeve. I kind of just get angry and slam a club or hit my leg or bag. It's just that quick thing that I think is kind of -- just like let's it all out.

That's kind of what I have to do. I can't really do it any other way.

Q. What do you do to get away from golf and think about other things?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Watch Netflix, play videos game, Fortnite. Pretty much do anything but golf.

Q. Are you good about making that separation, or is it hard to turn off what happen on the golf course?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: Oh, for sure. I would say I'm pretty good all the time. Even when I'm at home I go out and practice for a couple hours and then I go do something else.

I don't always stick around golf for sure.

Q. Why do you think that's important to take that time away from golf?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: I mean, it's what we've been doing our whole life. Golf has kind of overtaken our life, so I think it's really important to just be able to separate your life. Like golf is not the only thing that defines you.

I think that's really been a big thing for me, especially since I turned pro, to just find something else I enjoy doing as well.

Q. Heading into the weekend in contention at a major, what are some of the emotions you're feeling?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: I mean, it's exciting. It's just exciting to be here. This is our last time here, so it's just special to be here. And all the history that's been made here, really just go out and play my best.

I can't control what anybody else is doing. Just try and keep myself calm.

Q. We talked about attitude; we talked about ball striking. What are some of the positives from the first two days that you're going to really focus on and carry with you into the weekend?

JENNIFER KUPCHO: I think my putting has been great this week. My stroke and my fundamentals have really been showing that it's improving of the work that I've done in the off-season, so I think really taking that. It's really important to make putts, so that's one of my big takeaways.