Q. So really solid round today, 4-under 68. Had a couple bogeys late but bounced back with two back-to-back birdies. How would you assess your day?
JANIE JACKSON: Just steady. My bogeys on the back were three-putts from off the fringe. I left myself above the hole, and these greens are slick when you're above the hole.
They were just speed errors on my part. But I struck the ball well again today, so I'm pleased with it.
Q. Being in Alabama does it feel like home even though we're on the other side of the state?
JANIE JACKSON: No, not really. We're a five-hour drive from me. But I have played this golf course. It's been a long time, but I played it in high school. We had a state championship here when I was in high school.
So somewhat familiar with it, not really because it's been so long. But, I mean, it's always nice to play in state.
Q. Did you have a lot of experience with Robert Trent Jones courses before having been from the area where there is a lot of them around?
JANIE JACKSON: Yeah. I've grown up playing pretty much all the ones around the state since I was a kid. Mostly in high school. We have one in my hometown but I rarely go to it. Only on Mondays when my club is closed.
But this one has a little bit of a different feel than some of the other ones I've played. It's a little tighter off the box. But, yeah, I'm familiar with them.
Q. If you can elaborate a little bit more, how does it feel playing in your home state? I know we're a ways away from where you're actually from, but it's still got to feel kind of normal and familiar.
JANIE JACKSON: Yeah, it's always nice when you go to a golf tournament and you can get in your car and drive where you're going instead of having to get on an airplane.
And Mobile is not somewhere that I've spent a ton of time, but we vacation in Orange Beach quite often, which is only about 45 minutes or an hour from here.
So the drive was familiar. Like I said, I've been here before, and it's always really nice and comforting to play in state.
Q. You're quite the long hitter. Honestly, you get into the LPGA you'll probably be one of the longer hitters on tour. How has that hurt and helped you over the past few years?
JANIE JACKSON: Well, it doesn't much matter unless it goes straight. I made some good changes with my coach over the last six weeks or so, so I feel confident over the ball.
I mean, it definitely has its advantages on the par-5s, especially on the Crossing. I was able to get a couple of them in two today.
And, I mean, like I said, it doesn't matter unless you're hitting it straight, unless you can capitalize around the greens. But it definitely does work to my advantage to have some shorter clubs in I would say.
Q. What differences have you noticed in the past, or now between the Crossing and Falls courses? I know there are some short par-5s on Crossing, like you said.
JANIE JACKSON: Yeah, in my opinion Falls course is a bit tougher because it's just tighter off the box.
Both greens are pretty slopey, but there are some pretty serious slopes on Falls where yesterday I left myself in really tough positions for two-putts.
I'd just say ball placement is key on both courses, but definitely on Falls off the tee box.
Q. Mindset heading into the weekend? You've given yourself a nice cushion. I know there is six rounds to go, it's a marathon, not a sprint. But having posted 7-under after two rounds has to feel good.
JANIE JACKSON: Yeah, I mean, it mainly feels nice just because I haven't played a competitive round in six weeks, so it's nice to sort of see the work that I put in over the six-week break come to life.
I mean, yeah, like you said, it's a marathon and it's a really long two weeks, but I'm happy with where my game is at, so just trying to keep playing steady golf.
Q. Last few questions. A lot of your fellow Alabama women's golfers have gone on to do a lot of great things in the LPGA.
JANIE JACKSON: Yeah.
Q. How excited are you to have the opportunity to add your name to that list?
JANIE JACKSON: I mean, definitely would be special, and it would also be a lot of fun to be able to be out there full time and playing with the people that I played with in college and people that I played with growing up.
I got a little sprinkle, a little taste of the LPGA this past year playing a few events, and it was fun to be out there and compete with some of my friends from growing up.
Q. Does it make you hungrier, getting a little taste of it?
JANIE JACKSON: Yeah, absolutely, especially because, I mean, I've been out of college for five years. So, I mean, I just feel like knowing that I'm capable of doing it, you know, maybe it's taken me a little bit longer than it's taken some of the others, but I still believe in myself. I believe in my game.
And I'm just staying patient with myself, and that's what I'm going to keep doing the next six rounds.
Q. Last question from me: Obviously there is a big game this weekend.
JANIE JACKSON: Yeah.
Q. 4:00 tomorrow Alabama is in the SEC Championship. What are your plans to watch it?
JANIE JACKSON: Lay in the hotel and watch it, and hopefully it's watchable. I'm a little nervous, but I don't know, we'll see what happens. I hope we pull through, but I'm scared.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports