Q. So how would you categorize today?
LAUREN STEPHENSON: It was interesting. I started off with a really good look at birdie on one. Just burned the edge.
Then had a pretty frustrating three-putt on two.
So the first four holes I was 2-over and I had missed one fairway by a foot and so I kind of felt like I really wasn't doing anything too bad.
But it was different I felt like starting on the front nine today, because the back nine I think is a little easier so. So yesterday I had more momentum going into the front so just had to get through the hard holes.
But overall I played well. I had a lot more looks at birdie that lipped out or burned the edges. Can't complain.
Q. Let's look at birdies that you had, unless you can remember which holes they're on?
LAUREN STEPHENSON: Birdied 18, 14. 14 was a really good birdie.
Q. Then 10 and 8?
LAUREN STEPHENSON: Yeah.
Q. Take us through 14.
LAUREN STEPHENSON: Yeah, that hole is really hard. I bogeyed it yesterday and the back right pin today was really tricky. Kind of knew where to land the ball with the slope, so kind of just landed in the middle and rolled all the way down to like 12 feet.
So it was really nice to have a good shot and a good look there; then to capitalize was obviously a bonus.
Q. So 14 is the lone par-3 Aon Risk Reward Challenge hole on both the LPGA and the PGA all season. Kind of a fun fact. They asked, what makes that hole specifically as a par-3 so challenging?
LAUREN STEPHENSON: It's just such a small green and crazy slopes so you can easily get stuck on the wrong side. Like Bronte today. She didn't hit a bad shot but she got stuck way down on the left to that pin.
So just like it requires a demanding golf shot, and then at least the pin was up -- I mean, the tee was up a little bit today, which was nice.
But overall just a really hard hole. If you could play that even par for four days you're probably gaining strokes.
Q. Your top, top finishes - you've had a great year - but the top, top finishes this year you've always had consecutive rounds in the 60s; started off like that here. Do you feel like the course is set up to where you can keep it rolling for the whole weekend?
LAUREN STEPHENSON: Yeah, I felt like the last two days I still left shots out there. I missed a three-footer for birdie on nine today, so just kind of rolling with the same game plan and hitting good golf shots is just like what this course requires, which sets up well for me.
Q. What makes the course a major championship test but also inviting of scores?
LAUREN STEPHENSON: It's scorable just because I think it's relatively shorter to most majors length-wise. We have a lot of wedge opportunities. I said to Josh, mostly the short holes are actually the harder holes because the greens are harder. You have to really place it off the tee.
So just really like overall just a super demanding golf course. Like you have to know where to land the ball in the fairway and where to land it on the green to leave yourself the best situation.
Q. I think it's I want to say eight straight Rolex first-time winners at major championships or something like that. If you look to the top the leaderboard there is yourself, several others who could join that list. What is it about kind of maybe -- I don't know, what is it that is driving that, and when you look at the leaderboard like here, what it continues to drive it?
LAUREN STEPHENSON: I'm not sure. I feel like as an whole our tour is just super competitive from top to bottom. Like each week I feel like someone different is winning. There is not really anyone besides Nelly that's kind of dominating.
But I feel like every course we play is different. Like every major we play is different. Each major sets up to different players and different strengths. So I feel like that's why we see so many different kinds ever winners especially also first-time winners.
Yeah, I feel like we just get a lot of variety out here, which is really nice. Like feel like more on the men's side you see more dominant figures but they kind of just play very similar golf courses with long helps.
This course, you could probably hit it 200 and if you hit it straight all day you're right in it.
Q. Last one for you. You mentioned strengths. What are your strengths on this course particularly?
LAUREN STEPHENSON: Just my ball striking. I've hit it pretty well off the tee, which gets you off to a nice start out here. Feel like that's the only way to score is if you're in the fairway.
Then I've also putted well. I feel like I've actually missed a lot, so hopefully that will go well for me on the weekend. Kind of just keep giving myself birdie opportunities.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports