Q. I just want to know all about this back nine.
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, it was a bit of a struggle to start, but then I kind of figured that the cut was going to be 4, maybe 5, but kind of pushing it. So I had like five holes left. I'm like, I just need to fire at pins. Trust me, I was trying to do it the whole time. Kind of just all clicked coming in. Made some really good putts and really stuck to my game plan coming in.
Q. Did you feel that momentum kind of go in your favor maybe by that second, third birdie?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, I definitely fit a bit more in a groove but I just tried to stay in the moment and not get ahead of myself and really just focus on the swing thoughts that I had and the feelings I had over my putts.
Q. How long was that putt at 8?
LEXI THOMPSON: About 25 feet, and it probably broke about six or something.
Q. What's it feel just to be in the middle of that stretch knowing you have to do something like that and you're responding?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, it was a tough day and a half. Last week was tough, too. I've been grinding. I've been working extremely hard, and it's been tough. Just trying to get something that can click with my swing and just everything out there.
Once I made the two birdies, I was like, all right, let's just put the pedal down and hit some good shots coming in, and if I birdie, great. If I don't, I'm giving it my all.
Q. Good momentum for the weekend?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, for sure. I'm definitely going to take that last stretch of holes into the weekend and see where it takes me.
Q. I feel like this golf course is one that you've got to lay back and let it come to you, but when you attack like that, to have that stretch, does that tell you anything different that you might adjust over the weekend?
LEXI THOMPSON: I played the same as I would have even if I wasn't in that position to make birdies. I have to hit drivers out here. It's just a matter of hitting the fairways because if you're hitting in the rough, it's tough. The rough is thick, especially with a little bit of weather so it's even harder to get out of. There's maybe a few birdie holes, but you have to hit it in the fairway to be able to make those birdies and then take pars when you can.
Q. How good did it feel to get that kind of a stretch going?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, it really did, honestly. Like I said, it's been a struggle this whole kind of year except for my first event of the year. But I've been working probably harder than ever in my whole life on the golf course and when I'm home practicing. Just to be able to come through towards the end and make those birdies, it's nice to see hard work pay off, even though I'm still at 4-over. I'm taking it. I'm taking the little small win right now and building it.
Q. What's the big picture thing you're working on with your golf swing?
LEXI THOMPSON: Honestly, I've been struggling a bit with my golf swing. I'm just trying to get consistent with it and making sure I feel 100 percent confident over my shots. I pick out my lines and I'm excited and just sometimes it doesn't go the way I plan.
But just trying to keep things simple, and if I find one little thing that clicks, I just want to keep at that and not get too many swing thoughts.
Q. You've always played right to left?
LEXI THOMPSON: In my younger career I played more right to left. Now I haven't played probably a draw in years.
Q. What are you trying to do? What's your ideal --
LEXI THOMPSON: Well, irons have always been more straight, controlled shots. Driver, baby draw is ideal. That's where I get most of my distance, most of my center contact. But yeah, I'm working on that.
Q. You're trying to get the baby draw back?
LEXI THOMPSON: Well, yeah, that's ideal shot shape for me. It's never a cut with my driver. Aiming up the right center having it go to the center, but I don't play big hooks like I did when I was younger.
Q. How do you reset tonight?
LEXI THOMPSON: Get some food, just sleep, and feel good about how I ended.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports