DANA OPEN PRESENTED BY MARATHON

September 3, 2022

Brooke Henderson

Highland Meadows Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Brooke Henderson. Really solid round today, 6-under. Made a bogey on the 4th and then rattled off seven birdies in your last few holes. Walk me through your mindset out there.

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, I was just trying to make as many birdies as I could and climb up the leaderboard as much as I could.

So happy with today's round, and definitely looking forward to tomorrow. Hopefully I get off to a fast start, and just go from there and try to make as many birdies as I can.

Q. Any of those holes stand out?

BROOKE HENDERSON: I feel like it was nice to kind of get that one on 18. It was kind of a tricky like six-footer there for birdie. And I just missed birdie on 17, so to close it off makes the day feel a whole lot better, which is nice.

Yeah, really happy. I feel like I haven't been hitting it the best that I have ever hit it before but kind of grinding it out a little bit this week, and it's nice that I'm this close to the top of the leaderboard.

There is lots of golf left to be played today, but it's exciting to be in some of the final groups and just a few shots back.

Q. 15 of 18 greens today. What's your strategy when you're kind of a little bit back on moving day? I know you like to attack. You're aggressive. But do you change your mindset when you're a little bit back?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, and this course, it can be really tricky if you hit it in the wrong spots. You have to be kind of smart. Then when you have the green light you can be aggressive.

I've had to change my mindset here over the years to try to be more comfortable on this course and hit it into the smart areas.

Q. And then just last question and we'll turn it over. Ending on two par-5s is a strange thing out here on the LPGA Tour. Going to make it interesting tomorrow. What's it been like for you to play those two back to back par-5s?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, it is unusual. It really can make a lot of changes quick on the leaderboard, which always makes Sunday afternoon really exciting. So hopefully I'm within a few shots coming into those holes and then can have two solid holes coming in.

But, yeah, I feel like a lot of the leaderboards are going to switch tomorrow, so it's going to be a lot of fun. A lot of great players are playing really well this week, so it'll be fun to try it chase them down.

Q. Weather has been warmer this week. Kind of feels like July instead of September. How much different does this course play this week compared to past years?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, this course you're always learning, and depending on the conditions it can play so differently. It was a little bit soft early in the week, but now it's right back to where it is in the middle of the summer. It's firm and you've got to account for release and everything.

So it's -- yeah, you just really have to pay attention. You can never really take a break out here. You think that you can just go low, but, no, it can sneak up on.

Just trying to hit smart shots, pay attention to the conditions, hopefully have a good day tomorrow.

Q. You were play with Aline, the sponsor's exemption today. Looks like she's playing pretty well out there. What did you gather about her game?

BROOKE HENDERSON: Yeah, she seems like a really nice person. She played great today. Been playing great all week. It's fun to see.

And I think I heard she was saying she was going to Q-School, too, so it's exciting time for her. Yeah, she was playing great.

Q. And then just last question from me. Looking for your third win this season. Been playing some really solid golf. I know you said your ball striking hasn't been what you're looking for. How excited are you to be in contention for that third win in a season, which I'm not sure if you've had three in a season before?

BROOKE HENDERSON: No, that would be a first. Definitely excited for the opportunity. You know, the season is kind of winding down, so I'm hoping to finish off the year on a strong note, because it has been a great run this year. Been a lot of fun, so it would be nice to kind of finish strong.

And, yeah, to be in contention, to be a few shots back going into Sunday, that's what dreams are all about, chasing down the leaders, so it's going to be a fun day.