Q. All right, Gerina, nice solid 65 today at the Marathon Classic. What do you think was working so well for you out there?
GERINA PILLER: I found a little nugget with my putting, and I felt like the last, oh, probably couple months now my ball striking has been really good. Just haven't found the bottom of the cup.
Last week I threw a new putter in, and this week I was not able to practice at all until I tee'd up on Thursday. Just went back to my old putter because it was comfortable for me.
Yeah, started rolling it and, yeah, started -- I mean, my ball striking is still really good. Just made a lot more putts today.
Q. Bogey-free on the front nine with the three birdies, making the turn with two birdies on 8 and 9. What were those like?
GERINA PILLER: I was just trying to stay patient for -- I mean, as cliche as it sounds, but I started off and missed I think my first two greens. Hit it in the bunker and got those up and down. I think that was huge for me to start that, kick that round started that way.
I think I one-putted maybe my first four holes, so that just goes show that my putting is coming along. To finish birdie, birdie, or actually 7 and 8, just -- you just got to stay patient out here.
It's easy to see the scores. They're low and you kind of feel like you have to push the pedal and kind of get a little impatient.
But I feel like I'm really good at staying patient, and that's just what I been trying to do.
Q. That back nine, despite the bogey, solid back nine for you as well, especially on 18, that nice chip up onto the green and a little tap-in for you. How comfortable were you feeling as you got your momentum going on the back nine?
GERINA PILLER: Yeah, I mean, I had lots of looks at birdies and a few putts didn't drop, but hit it in the bunker on 16 off the tee and kind of put myself out of position.
I had to chip it back into the fairway, and so that -- it's nice to have a clean scorecard, but I was proud of myself for bouncing back with two birdies coming in.
So game just feels great, and just going to keep doing what I'm doing.
Q. You've done well here before in the past. What's it like coming back to Highland Meadows, a course you're quite comfortable with?
GERINA PILLER: Yeah, it's awesome. First and foremost, the fans, having them back out is really special. You know, and they're very supportive, and it's just nice to hear the claps and the cheers.
Just like always, the golf course is in phenomenal shape. Greens are great. It's just -- I don't know about this course, I just like it. It's a ball-striker's course, and I feel like that's a strong part of my game. So, yeah.
Q. It's been a year in this COVID era when we were here last year and now this year with all the bells and whistles back at this Marathon LPGA Classic. In the past year, in the 2021, you had some solid finishes, a string of top 20 finishes, and you've been pretty consistent. What's changed, do you think, in the past year maybe different from the last couple years?
GERINA PILLER: I think for one, I think just getting more comfortable being a new mom and just juggling everything for two. I cannot thank my coach enough, Brian. Started working with him just after the Florida swing, and he's really just built my confidence in my golf game, and we have a really good practice plan down to prepare for tournaments.
Yeah, my game just feels so good, and this is probably the best I've ever felt in my career, so I'm pretty excited.
Q. Really?
GERINA PILLER: Yes.
Q. Why would you say it's the best you have felt?
GERINA PILLER: Because I feel like before, I guess kind of two parts of my career, before AJ and after AJ. Before I felt like there were areas of my game that really needed work, and I just didn't see the improvement in those areas, mainly short game, chipping.
And now like I -- I don't know if it's a mom thing, but I'm not afraid to miss the green because I know my chipping is really good or I know my putting is really good.
So I feel like now my game all around is trending, so it's very comforting to know.
Q. With this round you really leapt into contention here. What will you focus on with the weekend ahead of you?
GERINA PILLER: You know, just kind of doing the same thing. Why change if it's already working? Just staying patient. You can get something going out there and you can make a lot of putts and the greens are soft and conditions are awesome.
So like I said before, staying patient and just kind of focusing on what I can control, and that's me and standing over a ball and being confident in each putt as well.
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