NW ARKANSAS CHAMPIONSHIP

September 28, 2024

Dottie Ardina

Pinnacle Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Dottie after the second round. Another solid round today. Sitting on top of the leaderboard. Talk about what it looked like out there for you.

DOTTIE ARDINA: I had a great start, great front nine. Started with a birdie. Birdied 4 and had eagle on 5, good hole-out, and a birdie after that.

So, yeah, first nine was great; had two bogeys on 11 and 12. Had a little shaky start on the back, but managed to birdie 14 and just tried to play the wind until the end.

Q. Talk about that eagle. How far out were you? What club were you? Did you see it go in?

DOTTIE ARDINA: I did. It was a perfect wedge. It was 110 I think. Yeah, 110. So I was a perfect number.

Actually at first I didn't see it. The crowd on the greens just scream and I'm like, oh, it disappeared. That was great.

Q. That helps. So you made the turn. Those two bogeys, how do you calm yourself after those two bogeys and kind of get the game back on track?

DOTTIE ARDINA: Yeah, it was a misjudged wind on the par-3, but it happens. And then on 12 had a bad drive. It wasn't in a good position to go for the pin so I just punched out.

But then after that, I just tried to keep calm and just focus shot by shot.

Q. And there is a couple leaderboards out there. Were you looking at them at all?

DOTTIE ARDINA: I wasn't. Actually, my caddie, I think we were on 8, he handed me the putter, he was like, do me a favor, do not look at the board.

I'm like, okay.

But it really helps. I try not to look at the board and just focus on my game.

Q. You think that will be the strategy for tomorrow too?

DOTTIE ARDINA: Yeah, I think I just need to be calm and just focus on my own game. I always think play like a practice round because there is no pressure. I'm going to try to do that tomorrow, or I am going to do that tomorrow.

Q. You're looking now at your best LPGA Tour finish. What to like it get this near the of the season?

DOTTIE ARDINA: I mean, I feel great. Never been in this position. I'm looking forward for a strong finish tomorrow.

Q. What's been clicking in your game you think?

DOTTIE ARDINA: I really like the course, I feel like it suits my game. It's like some are tree-lined. I just like it. I just like the course, yeah.