THE ANNIKA DRIVEN BY GAINBRIDGE AT PELICAN

November 15, 2024

Alexa Pano

Pelican Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Here with Alexa Pano after her second round here at Pelican Golf Club. Really incredible round for you. Looked really solid all the way through. I mean, 18 you wouldn't agree with, but we can skip that for now. Just tell me about the day?

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, it was really solid day. Really minimized mistakes out there and capitalized when I had birdie opportunities.

Just kind of had fun out there. When putts are dropping golf is a lot more fun.

Q. I know you said 18, it told Karen 18 is one of the hardest holes. Take us through that hole today. Obviously it doesn't dismiss a really good round.

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, for sure. I hit two really solid drives on this hole both days. Just kind of had a challenging number into the green. It's windy out here. I've also had mudballs on that hole so it's a tricky hole.

But a lot factors into it. There is no good miss out there. Left, long, right, nothing is good. Definitely water is short. That I found out.

You got to play smart on that hole, and hopefully I'll figure it out a little bit better over the weekend.

Q. This kind of golf, what does that do for your confidence just over the next 36 holes and obviously looking ahead to try and qualify for the CME Group Tour Championship?

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, good golf is always fun and gives me a lot of confidence going into the weekend and forward. Just going to kind of stick to what I've been doing and this tournament taking it hole by hole, day by day.

Q. For you what mentally hit definitely today that you've been trying to get to hit the past couple weeks?

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, I don't know. It's just a lot of hard work, a lot of putting in the time and things click when they do. Staying patient. Not getting aggravated when it's not as close as I wanted or missing a birdie putt or something. Just know birdies are coming and to stay steady out there.

Q. You mentioned it's a good day when the putts are falling; only 23 putts today. What have you been working on in your short game?

ALEXA PANO: I mean, I'm just constantly working on things, just trying to get better every day. Haven't had much off time to practice. I played four weeks in Asia; had one week off, which really only feels like a few days.

And so just putting in the time, the hours, just trying to be the best that I can.

Q. Being in Florida, obviously living here, does that give you an advantage do you think when you play on this style of golf course that's so hot and heavy Florida golf?

ALEXA PANO: I don't know. I think the only advantage I might have is I'm really familiar with the grain out here and stuff like that. I don't really notice it anymore because I've grown up playing out here.

Other than that, I think it's just, I don't know, maybe there is some familiarity on Florida golf courses that I don't know about. I do love playing in Florida. I feel like Lake Nona and here are some of the best courses we play all year so I get excited when we come here.

Q. With all of that golf, what have you learned about maintaining your energy? That's a tough thing to do.

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, definitely I could have picked my schedule a little bit better this year. I signed up for literally everything and committed and played everything, which is good in some ways and other ways was a good learning experience for me to give myself some rest.

So I was happy to be able to go home, work on some things, get to unpack a little to be fully charged up for this week.

Q. How much is CME on your mind this week?

ALEXA PANO: Not at all. I think I'm just focusing on the golf tournament that's in front of me. My coach always says that winning takes care of everything. I'm just focused on winning this golf tournament. If anything else happens after that, it happens.

Q. Do you look at the points list throughout the season?

ALEXA PANO: I'm sure I've taken a couple glances throughout the season. Like I said, the only thing on my mind right now is the Pelican Championship and Annika's event. Just focusing on the two days I have in front of me and putting the best 36 holes together that I can.

Q. When you have a day like that - you had an impossible chip there - how do you keep that from souring the day?

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, I think putting it in perspective for myself, knowing how difficult that shot is and how difficult that hole is. And like I had 17 really solid holes. I said to my dad on 18, I was like, that feels like the first really poor swing I made all day.

He was like, you're going to have bad swings. Just sucks it was on this hole. I said at the beginning of the week I feel really confident with my short game and I still do. Just miss your target by a yard and you end up in the water. That's how tricky of a hole it is.

I think that's a good thing. Having really difficult challenging holes keeps it interesting out here, keeps you focused and on your toes.

So I welcome that and hopefully I can accept the challenge a little better.

Q. What do you really like in your game today?

ALEXA PANO: I thought my putting was really solid. Couple times when I got out of position it kind of -- I stayed steady with it. My dad has been having some really good reads so far, so that's been very helpful.

I don't know. Overall, just playing pretty solid right now, so hoping I can keep that going.

Q. As a young athlete out here who likes other sports did you take special notice of Caitlin being here this week? Pull anything from that?

ALEXA PANO: Yeah, I'm a massive Caitlin Clark fan. I love basketball but especially her. I tried to sneak in and come see her before my pro-am on Wednesday but that didn't really happen.

I'm a little bummed about that, but maybe next year. I think it was just really cool for all of us seeing the attention it brought and how many people were here wearing her jerseys and hats and stuff and even seeing on social media how many people were interested.

It was just really cool to see and definitely got a great buzz around the beginning of the week.