KPMG WOMEN'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

June 23, 2023

Gina Kim

Baltusrol Golf Club

Press Conference

Q. Here with Gina Kim, who so far has had one of the rounds of the day out here. 2-under, solid in these conditions. What was working well for you?

GINA KIM: I would definitely have to say my putter. My short game in general. Obviously with these conditions being as tough as they are right now, especially with the weather, I think I only hit like three fairways today. Just having to scramble around and make good of what I have with me.

Obviously I've had some good luck, too, as well, and managed to hole out from a bunker, made a few long putts, and I think that's really what kept me determined to just keep grinding it out today and hopefully put up a good score.

Q. Walk me through that bunker hole. What was the line, thought process?

GINA KIM: Yeah, it was No. 15. I hit my 3-wood to the right. It was in the rough. Took it out, went into the right bunker. It was just a standard bunker shot. There was nothing crazy to it, but obviously with that pin being in the corner, I just tried to put some height and spin into it, and it managed to trickle right into the hole.

It was good to see some of my hard work pay off in that sense.

Q. What's clicked this week? I know it's been kind of a rough spell as of late, but what's clicked that's been so positive this week?

GINA KIM: Yeah, I mean, obviously I've been going through a rough patch. I've been trying to figure out my game. I brought my coach with me this week. He's been taking a look at my game, and I think it's just a matter of reframing the perspective.

Last year I barely got into the field here, and just to be able to play a major like this at a course like this, I was really grateful. I think just having an attitude of gratitude and just grinding it out because it can't be a shootout here. Pars are birdies basically. I knew if I took my time and just stuck to my routine, things would turn out okay.

Q. You're a pretty positive person overall. How much were you leaning on that the last few weeks?

GINA KIM: A lot for sure. You know, there were times where I questioned myself and wondered, will I be able to make a cut out here or even just put myself in contention.

I think after today especially, even though my shots weren't as great, just to see myself be able to make up even in the worst situation possible, I think that gave me a lot of confidence that it doesn't have to be perfect. You've just got to make a score and put it on the scorecard.

Q. Looking ahead to the next two days, got some golf to be played this afternoon, but you're going to be up there. How gratifying is it to be in this position at a place like Baltusrol, and what are you looking forward to this weekend?

GINA KIM: Yeah, obviously I'm already honored to even get to play in this event, especially at a place like Baltusrol. It definitely feels a little weird knowing that I'm kind of in the mix up there, but my first goal was just to make the cut first after the past few weeks.

It's nice to see one thing get checked off the list. I don't think I'm going to have too many expectations. I think I'm just going to keep working on my routine, keep staying committed to it, and we'll see how it turns out.

Q. You have obviously a storied amateur career. Are you a player that likes hard golf courses?

GINA KIM: I love hard courses. I love courses that make you think, that really makes you use every club in the bag. I love courses where pars are okay, where pars are considered birdies. That's why I tend to like majors. I think it puts everyone's golf game to the test. It doesn't give anybody an unfair advantage.

I think everyone is struggling just as much as I am, so I think that's where you're going to find the best player come out of those tough conditions, and I love setups like these.