COGNIZANT FOUNDERS CUP

May 14, 2022

Lexi Thompson

Upper Montclair Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Another day, another round in the 60s here on moving day. Four birdies, one bogey on the card. Just looked, it's only been three bogeys all week. How much different did this course play today than the past two days?

LEXI THOMPSON: Definitely a little different conditions-wise especially just with the on and off rain.

But we're lucky I think. It wasn't too bad of rain out there. But there was a few holes that the pins were definitely tougher, so you just had to take your medicine and hit it by and hit it past the false front and take your 20, 25-footer and take your par and get out of there.

So definitely played a little bit tougher, but course is in great shape and played probably a little bit longer with everything.

Q. Greens are softer but a little slick trying to get balls to hold. Did you find that to be an issue today, or were you -- well, you hit 17 of 18 greens; must not have.

LEXI THOMPSON: Well, it was probably more of an issue just trying to get my putts to the hole. I left a few short just dead center. It was hard because the greens have been so fast. They still are and they're rolling so pure.

But just with the a little bit of moisture on them they're definitely a little slower, but into the greens they actually skid out a little bit more, so it's finding that balance.

Q. 11 of 14 fairways; 17 or 18 greens. Almost had a perfect ball striking day. How proud are you of that effort considering the adversity out there with the conditions?

LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, definitely proud of it. Coming into the week I knew I was hitting it well. Worked extremely hard in the week off, so I put in the work coming out here believing in myself and committing to my golf shots, really just staying in the moment.

And that's what I've done all week, and I'll come out and do the same tomorrow and see where that takes me.

Q. Really nice number. How do you remain patient when you hit as many good putts as you did today and get so little out of it?

LEXI THOMPSON: Gets tested. I'm not going to sit here and lie. It definitely gets tested. All we can do is put good strokes on it. The few I left short, they were amazing strokes. So it was just a little bit -- threw me for a loop just having a little bit of slower greens just with a little bit of rain.

Man, are they rolling good, so if I can just stroke them well that's all I care about.

Q. Is that what you say to yourself, I hit a good stroke; it just didn't go in?

LEXI THOMPSON: There might be a few other lines, but yes. Big picture, yes. (Laughter.) Just staying patient, keep on rolling them like that and they'll fall, and giving myself opportunities.

That's all I can do.

Q. On hole 3 you had a tricky second shot into that green. You hit it really close. What was the creativity behind that? Was that tree in the way and what were you discussing with your caddie on that one?

LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, that was not the shot that I wanted into that green. That's a tough hole to begin with, probably the hardest one out here. Miss-hit my 2-iron off the tee so left me I think 190 and had to draw it around the tee there.

So what you're able to do is land it about five to seven on that green and it kind of rolls towards that pin, so I took a 6-iron and kind of just hooded it a little bit just to get a little bit of a draw on the shot.

Committed it well and ended up four, five feet; didn't end up making it, but it was a great shot. It was probably my best swing of the day.

Q. And playing with Madelene today, you both hit a lot of birdies out there. Does that keep the pressure high or does that force you to focus in even more?

LEXI THOMPSON: Well, it was great playing with her today. She hit it so well and stroked it very well, too, so it's great to play with her. Great to feed off each other and see the other competitor making birdies and just feed off that.

We're all playing our own game and just trying to commit to our shots and make our own birdies, but seeing them definitely helps as well.

Q. You've had a lot of Top 10 finishes this season. What do you think is the secret sauce tomorrow to notch the first win? Anything?

LEXI THOMPSON: You know what? I'm not even thinking that far ahead. Just going to come out tomorrow, take it one shot at a time. I know I put in the work, so coming out here, being relaxed, and committing to my golf shots; that's all I can do. Golf is an amazing game so just looking forward to the opportunity.

Q. I know you were staying patient and I know like kind of just want to stay in the moment out there, but you're fiery. Let's be honest. You want to go attack this golf course. With it being a little bit warmer tomorrow, do you feel like you can go more at the golf course?

LEXI THOMPSON: I don't know if my game plan will really set up much different with it being drier. Still took a lot of drivers out there. It'll all depend on the pin locations and where they're located, but I'll still bomb driver when I can. Just a great golf course, great layout, and requires good golf shots.

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