Q. All right, joining me here today after the second round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican is Auston Kim. Great round today, including an eagle. Can you just take us through some highlights?
AUSTON KIM: Yeah, I started the round pretty quiet; managed to make a good putt like I can't even remember, like my fifth th hole I think.
It was pretty quiet throughout the round. I was 2-under through 9 and then made a really good eagle on 7, my 16th hole.
So I mean, all in all felt like a ho-hum round, but turned out to be like pretty solid play. I didn't feel like I made a lot of putts today which is kind of a bummer, but I know what I need to work on. Probably work on some speed.
Overall it was really solid and I was leaving myself more tap-in pars, so, you know, overall it was pretty solid round.
Q. You've played pretty consistently really all season. Is there something about the comfortability you feel in your second year or anything that you think has gone into your momentum throughout the season?
AUSTON KIM: I don't think I feel any more comfortable. I think I've gotten better at handling things.
I still feel nerves. I still feel a little bit like from time it time like unsure about things, but it's like up to me to find that certainty in myself and be more certain with my game and believe in myself more.
So I think it's just an opportunity to grow, and I think I'm handling little things better so as the days add up, I just think it's showing.
Q. You're a Florida girl. Obviously you're going to like Florida golf courses. Out there I've heard the greens are a little less grainy than they have been in the past. What have you found on the greens this week that seems to be clicking for you?
AUSTON KIM: You know, you mentioned how it's a little less grainy and I completely agree. I think that's what's been throwing me off a little bit. I expect to see the grass kind of matted down one way or -- I expect to see one side of the hole getting burnt, but it's so tight here that I'm asking my caddie, like what do you see here? I'm not really sure. It's just really tight?
So it's just trusting my instincts. I really like playing on grainy bermuda, so it's definitely fun hitting a couple chips around the greens and just trying to manage everything well.
But I think heading into the weekend it's all about speed control. I don't think like balls are getting really pulled by grain or anything like that. It just seems to be can you get your ball high enough? Are you looking at the arc correctly? Are you putting the right speed on it?
There are some holes where you kind of have to putt defensively I found today, so I think just dialing in speed a little bit more and it'll be good.
Q. You talked about that uncertainty. Heading into a weekend manage contention, how do you find certainty in a moment I know you've been in several times before, but that comfort even? How do you get yourself ready for that moment and not make it too big at the same time?
AUSTON KIM: Right. There will always be uncomfortable feelings. It's up to me to kind of lean into that and be able to feel all the feelings and grow from there. I feel like when anyone tries to pretend like nothing is hard or the situation isn't hard or difficult and just trying to push those emotions away it gets worse.
So I've been talking a lot with my mental coach and just trying to push through the discomfort, acknowledge it, and do my best from there. I feel like I always do better when I acknowledge what's going on and embrace the situation.
So just keep talking to myself and going forward from there.
Q. How do you more importantly enjoy this moment playing so well in a tournament that has Annika's name on it?
AUSTON KIM: I keep telling myself there is no need to be nervous. I've had a really solid season. I think any player out here will be nervous regardless of what's happening because we all care so much.
So like I care. I practice like I care. This means the world to me, so when I get out there I just want to be as relaxed as I can mentally and physically.
So I haven't been in this position in a while I think. Like I've played some pretty solid golf but I haven't really been in the mix as of late, so I'm patting myself on the back. I played pretty well the past two days. Just really want to enjoy in weekend and do my best.
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