THE ANNIKA DRIVEN BY GAINBRIDGE AT PELICAN

November 15, 2024

Nelly Korda

Pelican Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Okay, I'm here with Nelly Korda after her second round at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican. Nelly, I just need to know what about this course that you have learned over the years that it just has really made you so successful here?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I'm just comfortable. I think playing in front of my family, too, so close to home, that is also a reason why I feel comfortable out here.

And then the more you play it the more you kind of realize the subtle breaks on the greens so you kind of learn time after time.

But, yeah, even with it being windy, tough conditions, I just kind of know the holes where you kind of have to be safe and the holes where you can be a little bit more aggressive on.

Q. Speaking of the family, mom and dad are coming out this week. Are they here this yet? I haven't seen them.

NELLY KORDA: Yep. They've been here every day.

Q. Giving you advice or...

NELLY KORDA: No. They're just out here for support, moral support.

Q. Nelly both of these 66s just kind of looked routine, almost like a yawning story.

NELLY KORDA: (Laughter.)

Q. I know you don't feel that way, but if you're watching it it's like, yeah, of course it was that number. Is it just when you get in this zone, do you just feel like, oh, yeah, here is the spot, hit it there, and go?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, kind of. It's tough. It's tough to play in this wind, too. My main goal today was to be pin high and I was for majority of the day.

It was actually something that Jay and I talked about on 9 green, my 18th hole, that we did a really good job of that today.

Missed a couple of birdies that I had chances at that I could have been a little bit more aggressive with, but happy with being where I am at going into the weekend.

Q. I'm a little surprised that you say pin high. A lot of people have said better to be below the holes here given how fast the greens are.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah. Well, I've always been the type of person that wants to be pin high. That's kind of what gets me into trouble, too, is that I get a little bit too aggressive.

But it just depends on the pin. I mean, they're kind of all tricky. If you want to be below the hole, I mean, for me, I just -- the best mindset for me to have on the golf course is to be pin high and not below the hole, because then there is more room for error for me personally.

Q. Greens are running at about a 14. Are you comfortable with that?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, they're slick, yeah. It's like putting on ice almost. They're doing a really good job with the golf course, especially with the wind and how slick the greens are. I feel like when the greens get that firm and fast the wind actually plays a bigger role in the putts because it seems to just kind of play with the putt a little bit more.

So, yeah, I mean, I have to be comfortable. I have to make myself comfortable to keep going.

Q. It looks like if things stay maybe this way you might have a good matchup with Charley Hull tomorrow, who I know you have enjoyed playing with in the past.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah.

Q. What are your thoughts on that matchup tomorrow?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I always enjoy playing with Charley. She's always a fun time. Hopefully we give a good show.