KPMG WOMEN'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

June 25, 2022

Lexi Thompson

Congressional Country Club (Blue Course)

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Here with Lexi Thompson after a 2-under 70. You're used to playing in hot certainly. Doesn't mean it's any fun, but overall, particularly your back nine, it looked like you had a pretty good day out there. How do you feel you played today?

LEXI THOMPSON: Overall, it was a very steady day. I feel like there was two iffy holes. Basically No. 9 and No. 10 where I had some good saves in there. Overall very steady, and I took advantage of a few birdie putts that I had on the back nine and made a longer putt, I guess, on 15, whatever it was, for birdie.

Overall, it was a very steady day. Yeah, I'm used to playing in the feet, being from Florida, so I just made sure I drank a water a hole.

THE MODERATOR: Were you watching the leaderboard at all? I know at one point In Gee was ahead by as far as 7. She's having some major struggles on the hole she's on now, but is coming back to the field a little bit. Were you watching, or were you just trying to play your ball?

LEXI THOMPSON: No, I honestly have been trying not to watch leaderboards at all anymore. I've just been trying to focus on my own game, my emotions.

Of course, I'll have my caddie, Will, watch it if there's needed to make an eagle or something. Probably not going to be here with an eagle, but other golf courses for that matter in that circumstance.

I'm sure he'll keep an eye on it. If I have to go for a shot, he'll let me know. I'm just trying to focus on my game, my emotions. That's all I can control, and whatever the outcome it is, it is.

Q. Lexi, I'm looking at the par-5s this week, and the scoring average has been a lot higher than I thought they were going to be. You didn't take advantage of any today. Is it just that they're playing that difficult? What's the status of the 5s out here?

LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, they're just longer. They're all longer. They moved one up today, and I think they moved it up about 40 yards. There's a creek on the right, and it was 255, 260 to cover it. I'm, like, I don't really have that.

I like to think I hit it far, but not that far in the air. It wasn't really worth it. I saw where the pin was, and I was, like, I'll just take my wedge at it. I ended up hitting a 2-iron off the tee.

They're just playing longer. They're not necessarily birdies. Even if they do move them up, they tuck the pins really close to the sides, so even if you do miss it going for the green, it's not going to be an easy up and down.

Q. Lexi, you mentioned the putt on 15. Can you just kind of -- what was the distance on that? Can you kind of take us through the line, the read, and walk us through that?

LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, 15, I had about, I guess, 165 in or something like that, 170. I hit just an 8-iron because you just have to land it a few on there, and ended up having about 30 feet or so and kind of up a hill and then the pin was down on the back side of the hill.

It was only about maybe a cup out right, overall for that long of a putt. So I was just trying to focus on getting the speed correct. On those kind of putts you're just really focused on speed, and it ended up curling in there, so it's always a nice surprise.

Q. Do you even think about what a reasonable number of strokes behind is for you to chase to have a chance to win? In Gee is struggling here. Could be two or three by the time this is over when you tee off tomorrow?

LEXI THOMPSON: It's something I don't even want to think about. I'm going out tomorrow playing like I have the last three days. Playing relaxed, playing free, and just focusing on my game. Whatever all the other girls do, that's their control, and I'm in control of my game. That's all I can focus on.

Q. I was wondering if you could talk a little bit about how different the course is playing today compared to Thursday and if there's a certain type of player that was favored on Thursday that is totally different to who is favored today?

LEXI THOMPSON: Thursday I would say it was definitely playing a lot softer. They didn't move any tees up at all Thursday. If they did, they were a matter of three to five yards on the tee box on the same tee.

They're starting to move up a little here and there certain tee boxes. Like, No. 8 is drivable.

Thursday I would just say played a lot softer. I would say that they're getting a lot tougher with the pins over the last day or two. There was some today, and I'm, like, oh, I'm not going at that one.

That's how majors should be. They should be a challenge. They should be difficult.

Q. You mentioned leaderboard watching. When did you stop watching leaderboards, and why?

LEXI THOMPSON: I can't put a date on it, but I just realized, I mean, same thing with the mental state. Looking at leaderboards does me no good, honestly, so really just focusing on my score, my shot at hand. That's all I can do.

Q. You've been a fixture on leaderboards this season. What do you feel like is the missing piece you'll hope to find tomorrow?

LEXI THOMPSON: I don't know. Maybe we'll find out tomorrow. I'm just happy that I'm putting myself in contention. I know I've put in the hard work and just to see it pay off means the world to me.

I know I'm in a good state with my game and just my mental state, so going out tomorrow enjoying the walk with my caddie and hopefully a lot of fans out there supporting us. Whatever score I shoot, I shoot.

Q. You talked about that change in mental state yesterday and the recent loss of your grandmother. How much is that loss inspiring you this week?

LEXI THOMPSON: I know she's with me each and every week. The Open was very difficult. You know, people say time heals. I'm hoping that it does, but I know she's here every step of the way with me.

She was my biggest fan and watched every single shot, and I know she's glued to the TV if she was at home right now. She was my number one supporter. It gives me the drive to be out here and do it for her.

Q. What do you think she would say to you for tomorrow?

LEXI THOMPSON: (Laughing). She was so feisty. Probably just, go get 'em, just go for it. She was always like that no matter good or bad. She was, like, you got it. You've got to love her.

Q. Lexi, it's not clear yet, I guess, but you could be in the final group tomorrow. I'm just wondering sort of what's that like playing in the last group on a Sunday, especially in a major.

LEXI THOMPSON: It's amazing. You always want to be in the final group in any tournament that you're putting yourself in contention and a chance to win.

Like I said, I love that the hard work has been able to pay off for me. I've been putting in the time, so to see it pay off and pay dividends means the world to me, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

Hopefully we get great weather, a lot of people, and the course is in great shape for us. I'm just going to enjoy every bit of it.