PORTLAND CLASSIC

August 31, 2023

Nelly Korda

Columbia Edgewater Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Okay, here with Nelly Korda after her first round here at the Portland Classic. What was the transition like coming into today? Lots of rain after two really dry practice rounds I assume.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I think the golf course is just in general playing a little softer than it was last year. I just knew with the amount of rain we were getting throughout the day that I could just be a little bit more aggressive.

So making sure that I was flying to the right numbers and taking dead aim at flags was possible.

Q. I know nobody likes the rain, but do you like the conditions that maybe the rain provides you? You like being able to be aggressive like you said?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I think it's good. It boosts your confidence in a sense when you're hitting it good. Obviously it's tough to play in the rain and there is a lot more going on, as in trying to stay dry and it's a little bit more hectic, but overall it didn't really dump on us. It stayed consistent throughout the day.

Yeah, it's a little tougher playing in the rain all day.

Q. Looking at your stats and results from last couple weeks, people can see that your game is in a good place. How are you feeling overall about the state of your game?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it's been an interesting time since my injury. You know, I came back -- I played really well before it, and then when I came back it was very hard to get into the groove of things. I came back to pretty much four majors in a row, so definitely tough golf courses, firm golf courses where it's kind of hard to get your confidence back.

But one step at a time I think. I'm pushing in the right direction.

Q. Yeah. And speaking of the direction we're heading, we're heading right into the Solheim Cup. Stacy talked yesterday about what she's asking you guys to try out. Anything you're trying out or looking at this week and next to just prepare for Spain?

NELLY KORDA: No, not really. I'm just really focusing on this week, and once I get to that week I'll focus on that week.

Just trying to take it one round at time, play some consistent golf, and hopefully I can take that into Spain.

Q. Last question: Just back to this week, what's maybe some of the keys out there to avoid bogeys and to make all the birdies? I know your card is full of birdies.

NELLY KORDA: It's pretty tight off the tee, so hitting it consistent. Rough is pretty thick, so making sure you're in the right areas is probably key.

And then at the end of the day dropping the putts. Capitalizing on the good drives you're hitting.

Q. A little bit of a surprise yesterday. We talked with Megan Khang about how you guys are staying together. You want to talk about how that surprise went?

NELLY KORDA: Well, it was her first win and I knew that she was driving down. She missed the Drake concert and she's been with me through a bunch of my wins so I really wanted to make sure -- we're really good friends -- that she came home to a couple balloons, nice flowers from her boyfriend, and I just wanted to make her feel special.

She played amazing golf that week and it's an amazing accomplishment, and I just wanted to be there for her. I wasn't there on 18 green.

Q. What did Stacy say? 26 putts.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah.

Q. There you go.