Q. Here with Nelly Korda after the second round of the CME Group Tour Championship. Talked a little bit there about your round. Can you talk about bouncing back today and what today's round meant to you?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I would say that yesterday I thought I hit it well off the tee into the greens. I just saw a lot of burned edges and kind of lip-outs; versus today I hit it very similar off the tee and into the greens and the putts were just kind of rolling in more than yesterday.
Q. What was is key for the putting today? Seemed like it was going well and made quite a few long ones.
NELLY KORDA: I honestly have been putting like very well. They've just like -- my line and my speed just haven't matched completely so I would obviously burn edges or they're just not falling. But strike-wise I'm very happy the way it's coming off my face and the way the ball is rolling, so just need to see more putts fall.
Q. You've obviously played great golf out here. Where does this round rank for you in terms of your nine appearances in this event?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it's definitely great, especially after yesterday, being a little frustrated. Coming back out here this morning, you know, the conditions were great. The wind wasn't really that strong. Was able to be really aggressive after a lot of these pins and rolled some putts in.
It's always nice to bounce back after a little bit of a frustrating round where you think you played better than you scored. It's nice to score well the next day.
Q. Did you change anything today in your routine? Simplify anything? You mentioned you were frustrated, but obviously everything was working today.
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, no. Honestly, yesterday I went to the putting green for five minutes and I saw some balls actually roll into the hole, which was nice. And then left.
Q. You changed irons last week. How has that change been and what kind of led to that?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, so I would say that I'm just kind of looking for a little bit more spin, and the irons were just coming in a little steeper and softer, which I've been playing well this year and I've been landing the ball where I want to; I've just been seeing a little bit more release than I normally have.
I would say, yeah, with different changes in conditions with golf courses I mean, that's just how it is. Last year maybe some of the golf courses we were playing were a little softer so I was able to stop it. This year they were more on the firmer side so they were just releasing.
So was just a little bit frustrated not seeing the ball react the way I wanted it to. I really like these irons. They go through the turf really well. But I did gain a little bit of distance, so last week I was just always above the hole.
Obviously putting them in under pressure, that's kind of where you learn the most about any type of equipment. So just kind of adjusted to this week, but overall I'm very happy with the irons.
Q. And then you mentioned last week you've been working on a little bit laid off at the top. What's that process...
NELLY KORDA: No, I'm trying not to lay off.
Q. Trying not to, sorry. What's that process been like this year as you tried to contend and win and get a technical thing in your swing?
NELLY KORDA: I think you work on something every year. That's just kind of golf. I mean, when you play multiple weeks in a row in different types of conditions, to me, because I'm tall, when I play in a lot of wind it starts to sway me a lot, so then I kind of revert back to old tendencies. Just always working on old tendencies, which is what's nice about golf and also frustrating.
Q. You talked earlier in the week about how you're working harder. Every year you do a little bit more.
NELLY KORDA: Yeah.
Q. What's something you've done differently, whether it's an incremental change or something that's new?
NELLY KORDA: Like in my golf or...
Q. Routine when you're home.
NELLY KORDA: When I'm home I would say I do a lot more rehab now. My treatment is a lot longer. That's how you know you're getting old. Implementing more stuff to strengthen my neck, my back, making sure everything is protected.
And then when it comes to my routines before prepping for events, I would say it's the same Monday through Wednesday, but what I kind of start now is I do a little bit more speed drills before my rounds. Something also that I've seen playing actually alongside the men, the Grant Thornton. You learn so much from them.
So just always trying to improve. I mean, the competition is just getting better and better out here every year. Just makes you want to improve as well because there is nothing better than being in contention going down Sunday on the back nine.
Q. So are you faster, swinging faster?
NELLY KORDA: No, I'm trying not to.
Q. Trying not to.
NELLY KORDA: No, no, no. I'm not trying to gain distance. I like the distance where I'm at. Obviously I'm always trying to be more consistent.
Q. What was it like having Sophia out there and why do you want her out there again?
NELLY KORDA: I've known Soph for so long. I survived pretty much Epson Tour -- I wanted to say the reverse, Symetra -- Epson Tour because of her. She was really good friends with my sister and she kind of took me under her wing. For a 17, 18 year old it's really intimidating going from junior golf to pro golf and not knowing absolutely anyone because no one was in my age group.
So just have known her for so long, I'm very appreciative to have her out here and as a friend.
Q. For the last couple weeks you've acknowledged some frustration. How have you learned to channel your frustration in a positive way like you did today?
NELLY KORDA: Honestly, having the right team around me. I will always kind of revert everything back to my team. I think a great support system is kind of the way to go when things aren't going well.
Q. Last one from me: Mentioned your support system. Earlier in the week you told us that you learned to lean on people more this year and last year. Is that something you needed a reminder of because golf is such an individualistic solo sport sometimes?
NELLY KORDA: Sometimes, but we're just so tight-knit we honestly have our routine now. It's the same every single day.
Q. 2026 schedule came out this week. Can you give us an idea what you might be doing next year? Is it too early? When do you start taking a serious look?
NELLY KORDA: Still too early. Haven't really sat down and really looked at it just because I like to stay very present, in the moment of concentrating on ending the season.
Also having Grant Thornton and PNC to end the year. Probably sit down after those events and kind of figure out what the best routing for me is for next year.
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