THE AMUNDI EVIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

July 26, 2023

Nelly Korda

Evian Resort Golf Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, welcome back inside the media center here at the Amundi Evian Championship.

I am pleased to be joined by Rolex Rankings No. 2 Nelly Korda. Nelly, welcome back to Evian. Congrats on your win from London. What has the last week been like taking that off week going into this major championship?

NELLY KORDA: It was nice. I was in Prague with my grandparents visiting family, so a lot of quality time spent with family which was nice.

Probably gained a couple LBs from my grandma's cooking. It was a great week back at home in Prague.

Q. When is the last time you've been able to go there and see them?

NELLY KORDA: Last year. I usually go around this time of the year because it's easy. So, yeah, a year.

Q. You were also able to kind of explore a little bit of Switzerland. What has that been like as well, being able to take in the sights and sounds of this area?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I think honestly this is my sixth year playing, and that was my first time going to Lausanne on the ferry, too. It was really interesting. There was a hail storm. First time seeing hail as well.

Got to experience some Swiss chocolate which was very yummy. Overall it's been a pretty fun week.

Q. The win in London, I know it's something that you've been working toward and wanting to get back up there at the top the leaderboard like that. What did that win mean to you kind of just after the last year?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I was kind of struggling obviously coming off my injury. It's tough to come off an injury and straight into two majors at two demanding golf courses.

Obviously didn't have a great showing, didn't really play well, and really practiced during even those two events, and it was nice to see through the pretty brutal conditions in London that I played well.

It was just a nice reassurance that the hard work is paying off.

Q. Just this championship in general is so special to a lot of our players. What's it like to be back at this course and this major?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, Evian, the views are spectacular. The golf course is a demanding golf course and it's a major championship, so it's going to test every part of your game.

The views aren't shabby, and I think it'll be a fun week ahead.

Q. Nelly, there is a little bit of confusion about who you are being coached by.

NELLY KORDA: Uh-huh.

Q. Could you sort of clear that up? Did you switch or gone back to your old coach?

NELLY KORDA: I'm work with Jamie Mulligan, and then my old coach also that I work with for short game, David Whelan, he's been my coach since I was 15. He's always been involved.

Yes, I'm getting coached by Jamie Mulligan.

Q. Thank you.

NELLY KORDA: Uh-huh.

Q. Just sort of left field question. Obviously with Seby and your contacts with the tennis -- and I think you went to Wimbledon, didn't you?

NELLY KORDA: I did, yeah. I got to go on Tuesday and watch Djokovic play Rublev.

Q. Just wondered with the men and the women there together, what are your feelings on how golf could perhaps improve its image and the viewers and sponsorship and everything by holding joint events the way tennis does?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I think it would be really beneficial for the sport. This year we'll have the Grand Thornton Invitational at Naples that's going to be a joint event with the men, 16 teams, which is a very unique and fun format.

I think any single time we can be joined with the men I think that's going to bring in more viewership. I think it's never going to be bad for the game of golf. I feel like it's just going to continue to grow it.

So when we do have these opportunities to continue to help growing the game and getting people interested when it comes to just kids to adults, I think that's going to be really fun for us and also pretty crucial to continue growing this game.

Q. Ideally, hosting joint majors would be the cherry on the top I guess.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I think statistically it's a lot harder for golf versus tennis, but I know that we've had the U.S. Women's Open back-to-back weeks at Pinehurst that one year Michelle won.

I think statistically it's just a lot harder for major championships to be held the same week men versus women versus tennis.

Q. Question about the course. You talked about the course. What kind of skills, weapons you need to have at your best to win this tournament?

NELLY KORDA: All of them. (Smiling.) I think this year the golf course isn't running out as much. I don't know if there has been more rain here than usual or if they're watering the golf course, but it's a little softer so not rolling out as much an the fairways.

I have a feeling the rough is a little thicker than years past. It's not the -- it's pretty tight off the fairway, off the tee, and I think it's going to be playing a little longer than maybe years past where it's been a little firmer, rolling out a little bit more.

But greens are still pretty quick and firm, so I think just honestly all parts of the game have to click when you're playing out here. You rarely get a lie where the fairway is flat, too, so it's either the ball is above your feet, below your feet. You have to be clicked on on this golf course at all times.

Q. A question about Celine Boutier, No. 1 French player. Do you know her well? Do you get along well with her? When did you think she can win a major? Do you think it's possible for her?

NELLY KORDA: Sorry, who?

Q. Celine.

NELLY KORDA: I actually played with her last year here for the first two days. Honestly haven't got to play with her too much. She's usually a player that plays really well manage windy conditions. She keeps the ball flight pretty low; solid putter. I feel like everyone out here is -- the game of golf in general, the women's sports are what I can talk about, is the girls are getting better every year.

You have Rose that just came out winning her first event as a pro, Jin Young winning two events in the year. I think all parts of your game have to click, and everyone has the opportunity, whoever tees up, to win to each week.

If your game clicks and the putts are dropping anyone has a chance.

Q. Last question Sebastian, who has been injured the past two months, as you have been injured last year. How does it feel in the family, in the WhatsApp group with the three kids when someone is injured? Is it specific you talk to each other about the mental things to recover?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I think it's tough when we're struggling with injuries. You never wish that upon anyone to go through injuries.

Fastscripts by ASAP Sports...