THE LPGA DRIVE ON CHAMPIONSHIP

January 27, 2024

Nelly Korda

Bradenton Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, I'm here with Nelly Korda after her third round at the LPGA Drive On Championship; third round 68. Can you talk us through what stuck out today and especially the last two holes, eagle, birdie?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, gosh, my first four holes I think I didn't have a putt outside ten feet and just wasn't able to convert it. I was hitting good solid putts. Just with the wind it was hard to judge.

And then I got into -- I birdied the par-5 and then unfortunately snap hooked my next two tee shots, which ended up both of them being bogeys.

And then just had a fresh attitude coming into the back nine. I mean, it's not how you start it's how you finish. Hopefully I can lead that into tomorrow.

Q. Talk a little bit more about making turn and what you're telling yourself especially after the two bogeys?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it's nice to have a really positive teammate like I do in Jason. He always makes sure I keep my head up and never doubt myself pretty much, to tell myself that I can make any hole an opportunity for birdie.

I did that, and I hit a 7-wood off 17. Hit a 7-wood into the green and then hit a good shot. The wind just took it a little left. Just envisioned my shot -- it went in like a putt. It was great, yeah.

Q. I know you've spoken about it throughout the week, but to have this much support, I think there is a sign on a business coming into the golf course, Korda is leading. Is it special for you to be able to play in front of a crowd like this and what does it mean to have a the roars like that when you make a birdie?

NELLY KORDA: It's been amazing honestly. I'm actually kind of taken back with how much support I've been getting this week.

Being in Florida I always get a lot of support, but hometown, it's crazy. I was born just in the hospital just down the road from here. It's been nice seeing friends and family come out, everyone asking for tickets, feeling the support, it's been really nice.

Q. Looking ahead to tomorrow in contention, I know looking for first win since '22. How excited are you to be in contention early in the season and maybe get that win?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, just a confidence boost knowing I can climb up the leaderboard and contend and stay in contention. Definitely didn't have the great start today. I think I was one back after nine holes, and then kind of turned it around.

But any single time I get to be in contention I learn more about myself and how to handle the situations more. Hopefully I can put together a good round for the hometown.

Q. How many tickets did you ask for this week?

NELLY KORDA: I was asking -- actually I asked anyone that I could for tickets. A lot of people -- I mean, I grew up at IMG, too so a lot the employees wanted to come out and watch, family friends, doctors, whatever.

But it's been really nice.

Q. Who goes back the furthest in the gallery in terms of knowing you?

NELLY KORDA: Oh, my gosh, yesterday, her name is Liz. Works out at Sara Bay Country Club, too, but her husband was my first coach.

Q. Oh.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I saw her. She was tending the ropes so I saw her and I was like, oh, my God, Liz. I told Jason that her husband was my first coach.

Q. What's his name?

NELLY KORDA: Don.

Q. And --

NELLY KORDA: He was at head pro back in the day at El Conquistador Country Club; now it's IMG country club.

Q. How old would you have been?

NELLY KORDA: I don't know. I was losing teeth, so -- that was his favorite story, I was losing teeth during our practice sessions.

Q. That's hilarious.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah.

Q. In terms of your game and the off-season, you seem frustrated last week. What did you feel like you left on the table at the TOC?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I think there is weeks obviously that you definitely get frustrated with, especially if you're putting more and more time into something in your game.

Sometimes honestly, you just need to take a step back and relax. I have a great coach, Jamie Mulligan, where he uses the word groove, just go out and groove out there.

That's what I've been trying to do this week.

Q. Real quick Megan Khang was talking about staying at your house and Jason and Caroline Masson. What are your strokes gained baby?

NELLY KORDA: I'm losing to Megan. Yeah, he's great, Benton. He crawled for the first time this morning. Yeah, milestones at my house. That's been great. Been so nice to have them.

Megan and I are not sick of each other yet. We played the first two days together, maybe tomorrow, staying at the same house, so thankfully I won't see her for seven weeks.

Just kidding.

Q. Are you going to Prague? I saw you were going to see your grandparents.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, going to Prague.

Q. How long will you be there?

NELLY KORDA: Just a couple weeks. Not long, yeah. It's tough when I go during the season. I only go for a week let's say just before Evian or just before British. And I'm practicing, not really spending much time with them.

So I definitely wanted to take some time out of my schedule to go and spend some time with them.

Q. I believe Emma Talley has a question.

NELLY KORDA: Okay, Emma Talley, one question for you.

Q. I was going to ask, I was like Megan is staying at your house, you're going to be playing in the final round tomorrow. Have you guys ever played a final round together?

NELLY KORDA: Honestly, before this week we've only played like two or three competitive rounds together, and I think they've always been like a Saturday, never a Sunday.

Q. Will there be smack talk or like friends?

NELLY KORDA: Maybe I'll just leave her stuff outside the door today. Find yourself a new place. I'm just kidding.

I don't know. We'll see I guess.