BLACK DESERT CHAMPIONSHIP

May 1, 2025

Kristen Gillman

Black Desert Resort

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, joined now by Kristen Gillman after her first round at the Black Desert Championship presented by Greater Zion.

Great middle of your round. Just take us through the highlights of the day.

KRISTEN GILLMAN: Yeah, I feel like I was hitting the ball really well today. I like to be pretty aggressive off the tee, so I feel like this course really sets up well for me. Very comfortable with my driver.

So just kind of was aggressive off the tee, and then I hit a lot of -- I think four shots maybe within like three feet, so that definitely makes it easier to make the birdies when you just hit it close.

Q. Talk about the stretch, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, four straight birdies. Even 9 before. What was working so well in that stretch?

KRISTEN GILLMAN: Yeah, I think a couple I just hit super close, and a couple 10, 15 feet; just made the putt. I was just comfortable out there all day.

I just knew if you got the ball in the fairway you could have good birdie chance if you hit a good shot. Just kind of stayed patient out there and just kind of took the momentum when I had it.

Q. Obviously a brand new course for us on Tour. What have been your impressions of the course and just Black Desert Resort in general?

KRISTEN GILLMAN: Yeah, it's great golf course. It is definitely tricky off the tee. You have to either hit it well or get some good bounces off the rocks. I think it's a great golf course, great resort. I've really enjoyed being here, and the whole setup is great. We're staying here and golf course is here so it just makes everything easy.

Really good week so far.

Q. What was the game plan coming into the week knowing it's a course we've never played before, and how did you approach the practice rounds a little differently maybe than you would've at a course you're more familiar with?

KRISTEN GILLMAN: Yeah, I think it's definitely a tricky golf course off the tee because you can't really see any of the fairways, or most of the fairways you can't really see from the tee box.

I just kind of was trying to get as many good lines as I could in the practice round and just use the stuff I learned in the practice round for today. Luckily I think I was able to figure out in practice round some pretty good lines on every hole, so it definitely helped ease some of the pressure coming into today.

Q. Feel like the course was gettable in the morning? Usually the wind kicks up in the afternoon.

KRISTEN GILLMAN: Yeah, I saw that. I don't think it's going to be super windy. I played the Epson tournament here two different years and it can get really windy here, so I think at least today and tomorrow we should get pretty lucky. Definitely going out early with fresh greens and less wind makes it easier definitely.

I think always helps playing in the morning. Excited for tomorrow afternoon as well.

Q. Disappointed with that finish?

KRISTEN GILLMAN: Yeah, I mean, not really. Obviously I wish I didn't bogey it, but I hit so many good shots today and I just kind of missed my yardage by a couple yards there. It rolled into a divot.

So I just kind of wasn't trying to do anything spectacular and get a high number. Just chip it up there, two putt, bogey, and get ready for tomorrow.