LOTTE Championship

Friday, April 16, 2021

Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

Kapolei Golf Club

Nelly Korda

Quick Quotes


Q. It was a treat to watch you play today, such a beautiful round of golf. What did you really tap into that enabled you to shoot such a good round today?

NELLY KORDA: I was just really consistent off the tee. Hit it really close today. I had a couple just like tap-in birdies, which is nice.

And I hit every green on the front nine, so when you hit it close -- I think the greens out here are a little smaller, so it just -- my accuracy is a little better out here.

Q. 25 putts each of the three days. How pure are those greens that are enabling you to see what you see and roll them in?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I mean, I grew up on bermuda, so I think there is a little bit of bermuda and something else, but I feel right a home honestly.

So I just feel really good with the putter and my whole game.

Q. 20-under after three days here at the LOTTE Championship. When you went out today, did 63 seem like an attainable goal, do you think?

NELLY KORDA: I was just happy to make that first birdie on No. 1 and not snipe it into the water practice.

When I hit the fairway I was like, okay, solid, good, let's go.

Q. You continued the momentum through then. When did you feel the heat really picking up for you?

NELLY KORDA: Front nine I played really well. I just capitalized on all the opportunities I gave myself. I hit all my greens on that nine. I made a little bit of a stupid mistake on No. 10, but other than that I think I played solid all day.

I did leave a couple out there, so it's kind of crazy.

Q. Crazy when you're shooting as low as you are. This ties your career low score here. We've seen some impressive play as of late in 2021. What do you think is working so well. Specifically here at Kapolei?

NELLY KORDA: I just feel like it's like home. Kind of the same grass, wind, you know, I just like the layout of the golf course. Hitting it close and making putts, you know, it's going well so far this week, so hopefully I can keep it going for 18 more holes.

Q. Do you think back just a few months ago when you had your win at Gainbridge LPGA when you're playing this hot and you have something potentially within your grasp?

NELLY KORDA: I mean, yeah, it's possible. I mean, Lydia is up there with me so it's going to be a tough 18 holes, I think. It's going to come down to the last nine or last couple holes out here because you have a lot of short clubs in and every hole is pretty much is a birdie hole.

So it's going to be a fun one tomorrow hopefully.

Q. When it is every hole is like a birdie hole, when it is so gettable, how much confidence does a round like this give you heading into the final day?

NELLY KORDA: Definitely when you can capitalize on all the opportunities and you're putting it well, hitting it good, it definitely gives you a good (indiscernible) going forward.

Q. Going back to the win a couple months ago, when you're putting yourself in those situations, how much does that experience help going into a final round in the final group?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, definitely with nerves the more you get under your belt the better. You just kind of learn to relax a little bit more. I've always said the more you put yourself into those positions the better it is.

You learn the most out of putting yourself into those type of under-pressure situations.

Q. And were you scoreboard watching much today? You and Lydia were going back and forth on the back nine.

NELLY KORDA: I'm always a scoreboard watcher just because of Jess, too. I do keep a look at it.

I guess just gives you a little bit more information.

Q. I was going to say, I have heard that a couple times when you put yourself out there. What's it like for you putting yourself into contention? You have numerous times throughout 2021. When you draw on those experiences and it settles those nerves, how much does -- you've talked about your caddie kind of help calm those nerves down?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, definitely. I mean, Jay and I have been together for I think four years already, and you kind of learn more about each other through those situations as well.

So I'm sure he knows how to calm me down by now. I'm hoping with four years under our belts.

Q. Your win at Gainbridge LPGA was the first win in front of your parents. Are your parents here this week?

NELLY KORDA: No, they're not. They're back in sunny Florida.

Q. I bet they'll be watching.

NELLY KORDA: Hopefully.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
106816-1-1041 2021-04-17 03:23:00 GMT

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