Nelly Korda goes for win number four in a row at the T Mobile Match Play presented by MGM Rewards at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas
Q. How does it feel to be here in Shadow Creek? It’s you’re first time at this course, or at this event. What’s it like playing here and what do you make of the course so far?
NELLY KORDA: The golf course is amazing, in amazing condition, amazing facility. Yeah, I feel like we’re super lucky to get to play out here.
Played the back nine yesterday and then the front nine today in the pro-am, and it’s a tough track. I know that the wind and the conditions aren’t going to be the easiest this week, especially — and this golf course is going to get really tough in the wind as well.
Definitely challenging, but the scenery is beautiful.
Q. And then is a as T mobile ambassador, having them on as a title sponsor, what does that mean and what they’re doing for women’s sports in general?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I’m super lucky to be a T Mobile athlete. I have a great relationship with them. They’re super encouraging, supportive, and for them to support and to step up and support women’s golf is really, really big.
Just makes my proud to represent them.
Q. When you’re on a streak like this, are you aware of how well you’re playing or are you just in the moment just facing the next hole being one hole at time?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, just trying to stay very much so in the moment. I feel like with sports and golf in general, you have so much time to think, so I think that staying in the moment is something that I try really hard to focus on.
But obviously with that being said, I’m super proud of the events that I’ve played and the hard work that I’ve put in and the amount of work my team and I have put in to get those victories.
At the end of the day, it’s tough when you win first two out of three events in a row where you kind of can’t kind of think about it too much. Can’t have it — you have to process what you’ve done but then you have to get ready for the next week.
Had the day on Sunday afternoon, my five-hour drive to process the wind, and had to get ready. I was on the golf course already yesterday.
Q. I was going to ask if you’ve had time to appreciate it, but if you’re on the course on a Monday…
NELLY KORDA: Yeah.
Q. Is that because it’s a Wednesday start?
NELLY KORDA: Correct. And I have never seen the golf course. First time out here. I heard it is a very tough track, so I definitely wanted to touch all 18 before the start of the tournament on Wednesday, yeah.
Q. Do you remember a time where you felt like you were playing as well as you are now or is this the best of Nelly Korda?
NELLY KORDA: No, I mean, I’ve had — I would say that every victory I’ve had or every single time I’ve played well I’ve felt more in the zone.
But I would say that the past two weeks everything has just kind of clicked a little bit more. Even my mistakes I’ve made the right mistakes in a sense.
And just playing really smart. Just not taking too much risk on. But, yeah, I feel like even in ’21 I played really, really well. Even last year I had little glimpses of me playing really well, but I wasn’t consistent enough to get the win.
Overall, yeah, I think the past two weeks have just clicked.
Q. Do you have any concern that you’re peaking before the majors or before the Olympics?
NELLY KORDA: No. I try to — I always try to stay very, very present.
I don’t try to change my attitude for the majors. Just another regular LPGA tournament. The fields are usually just as strong in these events as in majors. You see pretty much the same girls every week. You play on amazing golf courses.
So majors already have enough added pressure to them, where I just don’t try to change my mindset. I’m going to take every win and every good round.
Q. I’ve heard a few players out here saying that Nelly is — it’s the Tiger effect. When they see your name on the leaderboard they know she’s playing really well. We got to step up our game. Do you feel like you have an advantage just being on leaderboards?
NELLY KORDA: No. I’ve — I don’t even think that way at all. I’m just out here playing golf, competing, and having fun. That’s my mindset.
Q. Speaking of majors, I know the KPMG PGA Championship is coming to the Seattle area. I know your sister played at Sahalee in ’16.
NELLY KORDA: Yeah.
Q. Do you know anything about the course?
NELLY KORDA: Never played it, no. Just heard it’s very tight off the tee. I know Brooke won it that year. Was it ’16?
Q. Correct.
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, I wasn’t on the LPGA back then. My rookie year was ’17.
Q. Right. Will you play it beforehand and just or wait until the practice rounds?
NELLY KORDA: No, just wait until the practice rounds, yeah.
Q. The LPGA hasn’t been back to the state of Washington since 2016. Do you think it’s good to — I know we had great crowds that week. Do you think it’s good to expose a new audience to the LPGA?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, for sure. I think every kind of new state that we play in and when we come back, I think it’s good for the game of golf. Exposes the state and the city to the LPGA. I think it’s good.
Q. Have you ever been to the state of Washington or played at all there?
NELLY KORDA: I don’t think so. No. No. No, I have not. Been to Vancouver. That’s very close. But, no, I have not.
Q. Just couple more from me. Obviously new format this year. Haven’t played the regular match play format. Any strategy you have this week, or just figuring out match play when you get there and worry about stroke play for now?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, worry about stroke play. We have three days of it. I know there is a cut after two days and just eight girls get in, so definitely going to have to play some solid golf. Taking it more stroke play and hopefully get into the match play part of it.
Q. And last one, about 100 days out from the Olympics. You’re in a great position to make the U.S. team. What would it mean to get to represent the U.S. in Paris this year?
NELLY KORDA: Yeah, getting to represent red, white, and blue has always been a huge honor. Every time I’ve done it I’ve been super proud of doing it. You don’t just play for yourself, you play for your country. Getting to do that on many stage as Solheim Cup, International Crown, Olympics has been so much fun. Hopefully I get the opportunity to do that again.
