KROGER QUEEN CITY CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY P&G

September 7, 2023

Dottie Ardina

Kenwood Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Dottie Ardina after her first round at the Kroger Queen City Championship, and what a round it was. Can you take us through your first like ten holes? Not one by one, but what was working so amazing for you right there? Seven birdies, ten holes. It was great.

DOTTIE ARDINA: To be honest, I only played the back nine for the practice round. I didn't play the front nine, so I was just kind of winging it out there this afternoon. I was just trying to hit fairways and greens.

Obviously the greens are kind of fast this week compared to last week, so I was definitely making putts the first ten holes, which is really nice.

Q. So that was your first time seeing the front nine was today, this morning?

DOTTIE ARDINA: Yes.

Q. Awesome. So how did you sort of manage that? You said you were winging it, but how did you sort of manage those first nine holes?

DOTTIE ARDINA: I think it's also I had a good numbers on my approach shots. It wasn't in between clubs at first, so I was just like hitting my numbers and leaving it, you know, where the easiest putt and making the putt.

Q. So when you got to the back nine where you were familiar, did you maybe think you overthought it? I know it wasn't a bad back nine by any means. A lot of pars, one birdie I think.

DOTTIE ARDINA: The back nine wasn't bad. I couldn't go for the flag. I had a few downhill lies, and I feel like, you know, the front of the green released a lot, so I have to manage where I hit my approach shots, where I have to leave it on the green.

I had maybe four opportunities like 15 feet, but they're all tap-ins, which I'll take pars.

Q. Of your seven birdies on the card, any stand out to you as highlights, like, wow, I can't believe I made that?

DOTTIE ARDINA: What was that, I think it was the par-5, 4, because it was like 25 feet. I didn't really hit a good wedge shot, but it was uphill putt and I think that was a bonus.

Q. About 25 feet you said?

DOTTIE ARDINA: Yes.

Q. Nice. You just mentioned before we started it's great to put together a good first round. Why does it feel good to get off to a good start here in Cincinnati?

DOTTIE ARDINA: Because I missed the cut these past three weeks since Ireland. It was kind of rough to reset every week. Three consecutive missed cut is not so nice. Yeah, hopefully play the same the next three days.