Q. Obviously played well at Stage II. I know it didn't really end the way you wanted it to end, but came to week one of Q-Series. Were on the bubble a little bit, but you are at week two. How are you feeling so far?
KAREN FREDGAARD: I feel good. It's a big experience being here and just like trying it all out. I mean, I just try it out in the first stage and now I'm all the way here.
So it's a lot of fun out there, and to play with some of the strongest field I've ever played in with like pros and all of that, so it's different, but I like it a lot.
Yeah.
Q. Do you feel validated in your decision to start at Stage I? You're one of I think I count maybe ten or twelve players that started at Stage I and are now in week two of Q-Series.
KAREN FREDGAARD: Yeah, I think it's a great experience playing in all of the different stages. You notice that the level is so much stronger now. Like from the bottom of the field to the top there is not as many shots so it's just a good, great field and trying it all out. Yeah.
Q. How stressful was it last week to be kind of on the bubble to get into week two? I'm sure you were a little nervy on Sunday.
KAREN FREDGAARD: Well, I just tried to, you know, like focus on the different shots and telling myself if I do the best I can that's all I can do. If I make it, I'll make it. It's not the end of the world, you know.
And, yeah, just focus on each shot. Like both courses that we're playing here the greens are very hard to putt on, so you're going to have a lot -- or at least I had a lot of putts.
So like just trying to, you know, guide it a little bit and see what happens.
Yeah.
Q. Is your dad on the bag this week?
KAREN FREDGAARD: Yeah.
Q. Was he on the bag last week?
KAREN FREDGAARD: Yeah.
Q. So we got through Stage II. He passed the test of his own qualifying school. How nice is it to have had him around with you through this whole process?
KAREN FREDGAARD: It's nice. It's been a lot of traveling for him because it's the third time he's in the States in like three months. This week especially it's very hard because we're walking and, I mean, he's not in the best shape.
So I'm excited to see how it's going to look on Sunday after so many rounds of golf. But it's been a great support having him here, even though like it would definitely have probably been an advantage to use like a professional caddie or something like that, just helping me read the greens and stuff.
Because I'm not that good at it. Like I'm not that used to those kind of greens and my dad doesn't help me with anything. But at the same time, I get to like finish this tournament knowing that I did basically everything by myself except carrying my bag and see what level I'm on like that.
So...
Q. You're in good company. So stop me if we need to. Does your mom not travel very much?
KAREN FREDGAARD: Well, she does, but it's just so far. Like if we lived over here then she would 100% be here, and she goes to tournaments in Europe, but they both can't leave and go all the way here.
Q. Do you have siblings?
KAREN FREDGAARD: I have an older brother, yeah.
Q. So they're kind of empty nesters at this point. Makes it easier.
KAREN FREDGAARD: Yeah.
Q. Good to have him on the bag this week. As we're standing here it's not raining, but it's going to be a wet week here. Are you the kind of player that like the wet and wind or are you not so much of a mudder?
KAREN FREDGAARD: I don't really have any preference. To me it's just equal to everybody. The only thing that bothers me a little is like there is cut lines and you get out like in the bad cut.
But right here it's kind of equal towards everybody, so, I mean, whatever I get, it's just -- I enjoy being out there and just playing golf, whatever it is.
Q. So you're a player obviously still in college. I know you're probably missing some things back home with your team. How much of an advantage is that to play college golf and come to Q-Series where I think everybody is worried about maintaining energy, but you kind of do this every week anyway.
KAREN FREDGAARD: Yeah, it's different because we don't -- we usually -- like this is actually the first time I'm ever going straight from one tournament to another where it's four rounds. In college we get home for two or three days if it's a short gap, and then we leave.
So I'm not used to being on the road for that long see I'm just trying to navigate that a little and see how that is, and that's how it's going to be anyway if I decide to turn pro.
So just trying to get used to that. I mean, I was definitely -- like I told my dad, the other two times when I reached Sunday and made it I had a big relief and I'm just ready to chill for the next couple days.
Then like this Sunday I was like, I can't even relax. Like I'm going straight to do it all over. So just like getting used to that. Yeah, just figuring out what works out for me and stuff like that.
Q. You have fellow Dane here with you, Nicole Brock Estrop. Have you talked to her at all? Have you picked her brain about what tour life is like at all this week?
KAREN FREDGAARD: Yeah, played with her in the practice rounds last week and today as well for this week. So I been talking with her about it, and she's a really good player and she has a lot of experience from playing on the tour and everything, so just talking to her about all of the small details and the practical stuff and things like that has helped out a lot.
Q. You've had a lot have Danes to look up to. Is she one that tops the list?
KAREN FREDGAARD: Yeah, her, she's definitely one that I look up to a lot. And also Emily that's here, of course. And Nanna that's already on the tour.
Q. Have you talked to EKP a lot, Emily?
KAREN FREDGAARD: A little bit. She's here with the national coach, so I know him and I've talked to them a little bit.
But I feel like she's kind of doing her own thing, too, because it's very important of course to them. They are under a lot of pressure, too.
But I know that I can always come with any questions that I have to all of them, so I appreciate.
Q. Last question: One goal in mind this week obviously. What are some of your personal goals for this week?
KAREN FREDGAARD: Some of my personal goals, definitely to enjoy it because it's like the last tournament of the year, of this season.
Just like staying calm under pressure and not be too hard on myself and like accept the bad stuff or the bad thoughts that might come in and just let it -- like if I play bad, just tell myself that I made it this far and I've played really well. I mean, just be proud of that and just stay positive and enjoy. And, yeah, just like that.
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