FORD CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY WILD HORSE PASS

March 26, 2026

Nelly Korda

Whirlwind Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Nelly Korda after the first round here at the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse pass. Very solid round from you today. What went into it?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, just hit it good. Capitalized on the par-5s if I had a shorter club in. Overall, it was a very solid day.

Q. Yeah. Obviously playing some pretty great golf right now. What's the best part of your game right now?

NELLY KORDA: I would say my attitude honestly. You know, when I hit a bad shot I try not get too fazed by it and try to find it again and hit it.

So just trying to have a really good attitude this year.

Q. You're a winner of this event, not at this course. What is it about desert golf that you enjoy or elevates your game?

NELLY KORDA: Ball flies very far. Unfortunately this is a golf course you can't really take out driver. For me I can't take out driver too much, so hitting a lot of woods and having to play a little bit more conservative than my normal typical aggressive play that I like to do.

But, yeah, just I like -- my body likes this temperature. I like the heat. You know, I actually have housing that I've had since my Epson Tour days come out here every year when I compete in Arizona. It's always nice.

Q. For you, I know you said you can't really take the driver out. What's the strategy off the tee?

NELLY KORDA: Just try to place myself in the right spots. Sometimes these fairways get baked out. Same with the greens.

So closer doesn't always mean that it's good, just because then you have a tricky pitch shot in where you can't get too much spin on it and get it to stop so you try to lay back a little bit.

Also there are some holes where it kind of necks in a little bit too much so you're trying to play for more of a percentage play where you still have a club in your hand that you can capitalize on and get it close.

Q. Jessica is back out this week officially. Just how jazzed are you to have your sister out here again?

NELLY KORDA: Yeah, it's amazing. I definitely missed her a lot being out here. It's great because Greyson is out here and my mom is here, too. We're just having a lot of fun. I'm so excited for her. I don't know, she tee'd off around noon so just going to be watching live scoring of her all day.

I really hope she enjoys the walk. She has a great group with Austin Ernst, who is one of her best friends out here. They are both moms now too, so I'm just super excited for her.

Q. I know great coffee around this area.

NELLY KORDA: Yeah.

Q. Any recommendations from Nelly?

NELLY KORDA: Actually one of the physios, Aaron, he just sent me a text message of a new coffee shop I'm going to try. I went to Press; it was okay. Lauren and I are going to go - Coughlin - get some coffee after, yeah.