MIZUHO AMERICAS OPEN

May 7, 2026

Gina Kim

Mountain Ridge Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Joined by Gina Kim after her first round at the Mizuho Americas Open. Very solid 3-under from you today on a very hard tough course, so we've heard. What was maybe some of the keys to success out there?

GINA KIM: Yeah, I mean, I was talking with my caddie about it, and obviously we know that this course is really tough and it's going to be playing tough for everybody.

So just playing smart. Managing the course well. Hitting the middle of the greens and two putt and then one putt if we can. If not, keep moving along.

But I think taking advantage of those short par-5s and just minimizing mistakes was really key for me today.

Q. We've heard all day long that the greens were very, very tricky. What made them so tricky? Clearly had some pretty good putts, only one bogey on the card. What were some of the keys to success on the greens, too?

GINA KIM: Yeah, just a lot of undulation. The greens are rolling really pure, so it's just being patient and accepting the fact that maybe I'm not going to be making every putt.

But speed control has kind of been my key since last week. I think I put too much pressure to make putts so focusing on speed and, you know, accepting what is and moving along has been really good.

But smart golf all day.

Q. T13 finish for you last week in Mexico. How are you building on this success from last week?

GINA KIM: Yeah, I mean, I think last week was a really good week of reflection, just understanding that, oh, maybe I don't need to play perfect golf. I just need to play good enough golf.

I think it took a lot of pressure off me. And to put that in perspective, I think I lost four balls last week and I still finished T13.

So just knowing that I'm good enough. I've trained hard enough and I'm ready to be able to play my best golf out here I think that's been really key.

So just enjoying every moment. It's been really fun.

Q. Came up from the Epson Tour last season. How much did spending some time down there help you, like you were saying, settle in and play your golf?

GINA KIM: Yeah, I mean, obviously 2024 was not a good year for me, but going back down to Epson was probably the best thing that could have happened for my career.

I think it helped remind me that I'm good enough to win. And just kind of remembering the feeling of being in contention again, so the nerves and all of that, I actually enjoy being able to go through all that and the process of it, so this feels great.

It feels -- I recognize this feeling. It's familiar, so I think I have a lot to credit the Epson Tour for that.

Q. Last one: What will you take from this round playing into tomorrow and hopefully the rest of the weekend?

GINA KIM: Yeah, once again just smart golf. I think I just have to be patient out there knowing it's tough for everyone and that I've prepared well enough to be able to play well for the rest of the week. So I'm really excited.