NW ARKANSAS CHAMPIONSHIP

September 29, 2023

Christina Kim

Pinnacle Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, I'm here with Christina Kim. 65 on the day. Just take us through your first round here.

CHRISTINA KIM: I don't -- I hit the ball well. I putted well. Missed a few putts coming in. Missed few putts out there. Made a few putts.

The highlight was probably on 16 where I canned like a 46-footer for birdie. I hit the putt and I heard the commentator in me say, oh, she's hit that with really good speed. It's holding its line and looks like it has a chance.

I was like oh, wait, that's me. I just yelled, get it or get in there, come on, whatever.

I don't know, I was just having a wonderful time. I love it here in Northwest Arkansas. I've been coming here almost every year we've been here. Walmart and P&G are just amazing partners. There is a lot of history here. One thing I love about this tournament is it really is an event the community loves to rally around.

I mean, I know that the Razorbacks are playing tomorrow, but there will be a huge crowd regardless. I think that's a testament to how much the community really cares about us, the LPGA, women's golf, and it's just one of my favorite events of the year in all honesty.

Q. You alluded to with the commentator inside you. You talked to Golf Channel about it. Difficult might not be the right word, but how was it switching back after you finished with the Solheim and commentating and then, I got to go play 54 holes? What's that process like mentally or physically?

CHRISTINA KIM: As soon as that final match was concluded and jumped in the pool with the European Team and stayed up way too late, pulled almost an all-nighter before playing back to the states, it wasn't that I have to go and play 54 holes, it's I get to.

I was inspired by those women, 24 of the best players in the world that were playing for no money. You know, you're playing for pride, for your captain, your country, your continent. It just reminded me what this game a really all about. It's one the most like inspiring, beautiful weeks.

Every time I go whether I'm playing or whether I'm behind the booth, it changes the game for me.

Q. And then just the last one from me. Is there a difference between preparing for a 72-hole versus 54-hole event? Do you play differently? Are you telling yourself you can be a little more aggressive because you don't have the extra day to make up for it? Is there any difference?

CHRISTINA KIM: No. I mean, golf is golf at the end of the day. All you're trying to do is execute the shot that you're envisioning.

You just -- it can be daunting thinking about 72 holes because you have 18 more holes, or you could think that I get an extra 18 holes, or sit there and say it's daunting because I only have 54 holes, so you have to go and just go lights out or you say this is great, I get 54 holes to showcase what it is that I can do.

It's beautiful. It's golf, man, like I don't care. Just give me a tee times. I'm happy.

Q. Thank you so much.

CHRISTINA KIM: Thank you. His name is Andrew.