Aviara Golf Club
Park Hyatt Aviara Golf Resort, Carlsbad, California
Thursday First Round Notes and Interviews
March 27, 2014
Rolex Rankings No. 8 Paula Creamer (-5)
Rolex Rankings No. 140 Mariajo Uribe (-5)
Rolex Rankings No. 7 Shanshan Feng (-4)
Rolex Rankings No. 53 Jodi Ewart-Shadoff (-4)
Rolex Rankings No. 21 Lizette Salas (-3)
Rolex Rankings No. 10 Lexi Thompson (-3)
Rolex Rankings No. 1 Inbee Park (-3)
Rolex Rankings No. 8 Paula Creamer and Colombia’s Mariajo Uribe share the first round lead at the Kia Classic after both carding 5-under 67s during Thursday’s opening round of play. A group of four players, including No. 7 Shanshan Feng, No. 12 Cristie Kerr, England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Mi Hyang Lee of South Korea are one shot back in a tie for third at 5-under par.
Creamer set the tone early in the morning wave with six birdies and a bogey and said taking advantage of the early tee time was key.
“That’s what this golf course is about is starting early and taking those advantages, and the closer you hit it, too, the easier it is, but they’re pretty soft still,” said Creamer. “You know, they released a little bit today, but hopefully they won’t put too much water on it this afternoon and going into tomorrow and especially into Sunday.”
Creamer said good iron play into the greens kept her birdie chances short.
“I played pretty solid,” said Creamer. “I had one bogey, but I gave myself a bunch of opportunities, and you know, putted really well, made some good 2‑putts. And I think it’s an advantage playing early in the morning, and I wanted to take that advantage and try and get as many birdies, but eliminate the bogeys.”
Uribe was playing in the second to last group of the day and finished under a nearly set sun at 7:30 p.m. local time. The slow pace led to a darker finish than normal and pushed the players to finish the final holes more quickly than they hoped.
“It was just a rush at the end.” Uribe said. “You don’t want to come at 5 AM to warm up and play one hole. But we were trying to do it as fast as we could and we were always waiting, but I just tried to stay calm and it had affected me in the past and I am glad it didn’t today.”
Her bogey-free round of 67 was her low round of the year.
“I took advantage of the first couple of holes where the greens weren’t that bad.” said Uribe. “I made four birdies on the first five holes and just took it from there. Stayed pretty calm, we were playing pretty slow out there so, just a lot of time down didn’t really think about it that much.”
Creamer, already a winner this year with her victory in Singapore, headed to the range after her round after having some trouble off the tee.
“I missed a couple of fairways out there, which is not really normal for me,” said Creamer. “I normally hit a lot of fairways and greens, and I missed a couple in the rough. And you know, I’m going to definitely go hit some balls to fix that.”
Missed opportunities
Rolex Rankings #1 Inbee Park has three top-10 finishes in the three LPGA events she has played in this year and is on here way to adding her fourth. With a 69 (-3) today, Park came off the course today pleased with her overall play but felt she left a few opportunities out there.
“Today was like the day I could have gone 10-under, but still in the 60’s.” Park said. “That’s all right. Three more days, keep the ball striking like this this week and next week and I think I will be good.”
In order to take advantage of missed opportunities, Park pointed out some improvement needed while putting.
“I missed a lot within 10 feet today.” Park said. “Missed probably seven, right of them and I just haven’ t been putting that well the last few weeks.”
Pink Thursday
Players, staff and fans were encouraged to wear pink on Thursday to help raise awareness for breast cancer and in support of LPGA Tour player, Lisa Ferrero, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in January. Creamer, who is affectionately known as “The Pink Panther” on Tour had no trouble picking out an outfit on Thursday but also said how important it is for players to get on board to bring awareness to finding a cure.
“It’s very important,” said Creamer. “We have October, breast cancer month, but every month, every day we have to take such an importance into that. I think, as a woman, and as I’m getting older and things like that, it’s even more important to teach the generations about that.”
LIVE Broadcasts
The Golf Channel is once again broadcasting this week’s Kia Classic live during the following times. Be sure to follow and use #LPGAonGC when you’re on twitter this week for more information.
Thursday 6:30pm-9:00pm ET
Friday 6:30pm-9:00pm ET
Saturday 7:00pm-9:00pm ET
Sunday 7:00pm-9:00pm ET
Golfers go glam
For the second year in a row, LPGA Tour players traded in their golf spikes for high heels for a photo shoot with Golf Channel. The “glam” theme aims to show the off-course personalities of the players and covered a diverse range of topics from favorite major championship memory to fashion on Tour. Shanshan Feng took part in the shoot on Tuesday evening and said she appreciated the chance to show her laid-back and quirky personality.
“Oh, it was kind of funny,” said Feng. “Like all the fans, what they see, usually I’m so calm on TV, but I do think I have personality. I like to joke around, and they gave me like almost a Mission Impossible. They wanted me to hit like a flower on the ground and using my driver to hit it in the air. I was like, that is hard. That was the hardest drive I’ve ever had. And I did it. So I think it was really fun.”
Short stuff
Defending champion Beatriz Recari finished the day tied for 30th after finishing 3-under (71) today...Rolex Rankings No. 2 Suzann Pettersen withdrew prior to the first round due to back spasms and Danah Bordner withdrew before her start with a foot injury…Pettersen released the news on her Twitter account saying “I tweaked my back Monday and haven’t been able to do much since.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Derek and I actually have a, I guess it’s like a promise/contract between us. Whoever makes our first win, so he would have to win on Web.com or PGA, we take the other person’s name. If I make an LPGA win before he takes a win, he’s going to take Pancake.”
- Brooke Pancake explaining the agreement she and her husband, Derek Rende, made when figuring out how to deal with a possible last name change.
INBEE PARK, Rolex Rankings No. 1
Q. Okay. We're here with Inbee Park after day one at the Kia Classic. Inbee, what was working for you today?
INBEE PARK: Today my ball striking was great. I hit almost probably every fairway and every green, and I probably hit at everything inside 15 feet.
Didn't hole anything. Had two tap in birdies and one five footer for birdie. Except for that it was actually a little tougher day on the greens for me, but the ball striking was just really, really good. The opportunities I had today was just almost ridiculous, I had so many opportunities.
But today was like the day I could have gone 10 under, but still in the 60s. That's all right. Three more days, keep the ball striking like this this week and next week and I think it'll be good.
Q. People have been talking about the size of the greens here, that you always end up on the greens, but then what. Do you feel like that was the challenge for you today?
INBEE PARK: No, not exactly because I just hit it I mean I didn't hit it on the green. I hit it like at the pins and I probably hit at everything inside 20 feet and missed a lot of you know, a lot that was within 10 feet today. Missed probably like seven, eight of them. I just haven't been putting that well the last few weeks, but my ball striking is really getting better and better, which is good news.
SHANSHAN FENG, Rolex Rankings No. 7
Q. All right. I'm now joined by Shanshan Feng. Just turned in a 4 under 68 in the first round of the Kia Classic, just one shot off the lead. Shanshan, very good opening round. You got off to a really, really fast start. Talk about that hot start for you and how that set the tone for the rest of the day.
SHANSHAN FENG: Well, I started the round, like really sharp. On the first hole I had a tap in birdie and missed the one on the second hole and then made a long putt on the third hole and then made another one on the fourth. So I was really confident after four holes.
And then of course, the wind started to pick up and then it was kind of hard to knock it close again, but I still made the birdie at the last hole. So I feel really good, because I've already had three starts this year but none Top 10 finishes yet, so this week I really want a Top 10.
Q. Going into a major next week, how much does this course prepare you guys for almost a warm up for Kraft? Do you think it's a good test of golf that gets you guys set for next week?
SHANSHAN FENG: Yeah. I mean this course is really challenging and also next week, too. So I think it's the same weather well, it's going to be warmer next week, but it's just, you know, really good to, I mean play well here and then to give me like confidence next week.
Q. Great. Now, you took part in the Golf Channel shoot earlier this week on Tuesday. Looked like you were having a lot of fun. Tell us what went down at that shoot and what you guys were up to.
SHANSHAN FENG: Oh, it was kind of funny. Like all the fans, what they see, usually I'm so calm on TV, but I do think I have personality. I like to joke around, and they gave me like almost it was almost like Miss you know, what's that?
Q. Personality?
SHANSHAN FENG: "Mission Impossible." Yeah, sorry. Okay. I'll do that again. So it was almost like "Mission Impossible", because they wanted me to hit like a flower on the ground and using my driver to hit it in the air. I was like, that is hard. That was the hardest drive I've ever had. And I did it. So I think it was really fun.
PAULA CREAMER, Rolex Rankings No. 8
Q. All right. I'm now joined by Paula Creamer, our co-leader in the clubhouse at the Kia Classic. 67 in your opening round. You have to be very pleased with the way you started today.
PAULA CREAMER: I am. I played pretty solid. I had one bogey, but I gave myself a bunch of opportunities, and you know, putted really well, made some good 2 putts. And I think it's an advantage playing early in the morning, and I wanted to take that advantage and try and get as many birdies, but eliminate the bogeys.
Q. Where did you minimize mistakes today? A lot of people said there are some trouble spots. Where did you think you kept the mistakes to the minimum?
PAULA CREAMER: Well, I made some good birdies. I hit the ball pretty well. I think I missed four greens and only had to chip really once.
But you know, this golf course is tough with the wind, and you can see the scores, it does, it's pretty wide open. It's generous off the tee, but it all comes down to just the wind and the greens for sure.
Q. I doubt you had any difficulty picking out a pink outfit today for Pink Thursday. Talk about just raising awareness for breast cancer and how special of a chance this is just for you guys to be decked out in pink and raise awareness for a great cause?
PAULA CREAMER: No, it is. It's very important. We have obviously October, breast cancer month, but every month, every day is we have to take such an importance into that, I think, as a woman, and as I'm getting older and things like that, it's even more important to teach the generations about that.
But we have such good people out on tour that do so many wonderful things, Morgan with her foundation, Cristie as well, bringing awareness to it. I've been fortunate. I don't have any breast cancer that runs through my family, but still, it's so important to keep getting your checkups and getting on top of the ball before anything ever starts.
Q. Absolutely. Great job so far. Thanks for joining us. Best of luck.
PAULA CREAMER: Thank you.
Q. You mentioned that wind. You could feel it out there even early, huh?
PAULA CREAMER: Oh, definitely. It was swirling a lot, too. It was pretty inconsistent at spots out there, but you just kind of have to trust your wind map or trust and see what's going on out there, but it did swirl a lot.
Q. Good to get on the greens early?
PAULA CREAMER: Yeah, that's what this golf course is about is starting early and taking those advantages, and the closer you hit it, too, the easier it is, but they're pretty soft still. You know, they released a little bit today, but hopefully they won't put too much water on it this afternoon and going into tomorrow and especially into Sunday.
Q. Were you hitting it very close today?
PAULA CREAMER: Yeah. My birdies all came within three, four feet on some of them.
You know, I made one long one on 3, but really maybe five, six feet for the most part and just gave myself a bunch of looks and put it on the right side of the hole.
Q. How long was the long one?
PAULA CREAMER: It was maybe about 35 feet.
Q. That's long for some people, but not you, huh?
PAULA CREAMER: It was long. (Laughs).
Q. What happened on the bogey?
PAULA CREAMER: Bogey was on 15. I hit it in the fairway, but I hit it in the right bunker, and it plugged in the face, and I didn't get up and down and I two putted.
Q. Is this a continuation of how you've been playing, do you feel like ball striking wise?
PAULA CREAMER: Very much, yeah. You know, I missed a couple of fairways out there, which is not really normal for me. I normally hit a lot of fairways and greens, and I missed a couple in the rough. And you know, I'm going to definitely go hit some balls to fix that.
But for the most part, yeah, I've been pretty steady, and I think it's too far away from me, which is a good thing. I can kind of feel what's happening with my golf swing and try to nip it in the bud before, and before we start going on a downer path. And I think that's just what I've been working on so much with my coach, David Whelan, is being aware of what's happening and why it happens.
Q. Is that why it's so beneficial to win early in the year, too, you can just kind of feed off that?
PAULA CREAMER: Well, it's beneficial any time to win, but for me, yeah, it definitely has made this season, you know, a lot sweeter, that's for sure. It's made me believe even more in what we're doing with my golf swing, and you know, all those hard times that I've been struggling with the last couple of years, it just kind of puts a cap to it and all and just shows what perseverance is all about, you just keep doing what you need to do.
Q. Do you think it pays to play aggressively out here at Aviara?
PAULA CREAMER: A little bit. Definitely helps you with scoring clubs into the greens. You still have to worry about spin with your wedges and things like that, but you know, some of the pins that they put, there are some tricky spots, but it's only going to get tougher, and I'm glad that I could come out and play a good solid round. And you know, whatever happens happens from here on out, but I can only go out and kind of stick to my game plan, which is a little bit aggressive, but I know when to back off, too.
LEXI THOMPSON, Rolex Rankings No. 10
Q. Lexi, 69, solid start. Run me through the round. How many birdies, how many bogeys?
LEXI THOMPSON: I had one bogey.
Q. One bogey?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yep.
Q. So very solid.
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah. It was a pretty consistent day. Could have dropped a few more putts coming in, but overall I played very solid, so I'm happy with it.
Q. Everyone is saying the greens are a little tricky here.
LEXI THOMPSON: Yes.
Q. Very undulated. Is that something you not look forward to, but kind of thought about coming into in, knowing you have to do a lot of lag putts and all that good stuff?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, they are a little tricky. They sometimes do something different than you see. But, you know, really you have to focus on doing your same putting routine and see the ball go in the hole.
But yeah, lag putting, just try to get it up there within three or four feet and make it.
Q. All right. Anything else that stuck out? Got a little windier throughout the round.
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah.
Q. Everyone is saying it swirled a little bit.
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah. It definitely got windier on my second nine, and it swirls out here, for sure. You have to look at the top of the trees to figure it out, because once you tucked in, it's doing the total opposite.
Q. Anything that stuck out you wanted to tune up now afterward, improve on?
LEXI THOMPSON: You mean that I'll practice?
Q. Yeah.
LEXI THOMPSON: I'll probably just hit a few putts. I won't go to the range. I hit it pretty solid.
Q. Take it easy?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah. Take it easy.
Q. All right. What happened on the bogey?
LEXI THOMPSON: I actually like three putted from like ten feet. It was just a little bit faster than I thought, and I went for it. Had like a four footer coming back and I missed it. I played the hole well. The hole, the greens can get away from me if they're downhill.
CRISTIE KERR, Rolex Rankings No. 12
Q. Great round overall. Do you feel good about it?
CRISTIE KERR: Yeah. I hit some loose shots and had a three putt on the back nine, but I made a lot of birdies and I was very focused out there. Could have been a little sharper, but you know, that's the way it goes.
Q. It is what it is. Good finish last week. Is there anything you've been working on that you've kind of been improving through?
CRISTIE KERR: Yeah. I'm just getting a little sharper and starting to gel with my new caddie, Mark.
Q. How is that going?
CRISTIE KERR: Yeah. We have fun on the course, so I think it's very good.
Q. He is quite the character. Does he keep you loose, in a good way?
CRISTIE KERR: He does. But he keeps me focused on the right things, and it's a good partnership.
Q. When did he start on your bag?
CRISTIE KERR: Beginning of the year.
Q. First event?
CRISTIE KERR: In Thailand, yeah.
Q. I guess course conditions.
CRISTIE KERR: Greens were a bit bumpy, and I mean our round was ridiculously slow. Felt like it took forever. And they're probably not going to finish. So that's unfortunate.
Q. Any wind conditions? I know it was windier kind of early. Did it die down?
CRISTIE KERR: A little bit. It was kind of swirling in the middle of the round and then it kind of died down.
But no, just going to hit a few balls and be back out here soon.
Q. Anything in particular you're trying to sharpen up?
CRISTIE KERR: A little bit of mechanical, kind of refresh.
Q. Coach here?
CRISTIE KERR: Yeah. He's here.
Q. What's his name?
CRISTIE KERR: Bryan Lebedevitch.
LIZETTE SALAS, Rolex Rankings No. 21
Q. So solid round out there. Just thoughts. I don't think any three birdies, no bogeys?
LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah. It was a pretty steady round, and just like last week, try to keep everything simple, hitting greens, hitting fairways and greens.
These last couple of days for practice I felt really good, just been working with my coach and trying to keep everything simple, and just for me, just stay in the fairway, keep it simple.
And you know, rolled in some good putts, and I left a lot of putts out there, but there's plenty of golf to be played, so pretty confident.
Q. And then that shot, the approach shot on 17, did that jump start your round a little bit, hit it to about two inches?
LIZETTE SALAS: On 17? Yeah. That's just a confidence booster, you know, those tap ins just really give you that extra momentum to keep going and to keep firing at the pin, especially on these par 5s, so I mean that was a little that was a good treat.
Q. And the birdie on 1 and 2?
LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah. Those were really good putts, you know, left to rights. Those are always a little tricky for me, just you know, for right handers to get the ball started on line, but just kind of throw in little fist pumps for those and just to keep it going.
Q. You played well last week. You had a couple of really solid rounds. Any momentum that you felt really good last week that came over?
LIZETTE SALAS: Oh, definitely. Just the whole week in general. I just felt like myself, and just I was just much more happier playing, and you know, being in the West Coast, you know, this is my backyard almost, and just being out here and being able to play the sport that I love and figuring out why I love it so much, and really keeping it simple.
I feel like I thought way too much after Bahamas and in Asia, so after that I just kind of cleared my mind, went back to the basics, and it's been helping a lot.
Q. Did you do anything specific, mind clearing, relaxation stuff?
LIZETTE SALAS: No.
Q. Anything just more?
LIZETTE SALAS: A couple of mani/pedis.
Q. That'll do it.
LIZETTE SALAS: But yeah, I've been starting this core exercise program with Curtis and the guys in the trailer, so that's been you know, because I've had some back issues and to prevent that from happening this year, I've been working on that and you know, just had like two sessions, but I feel pretty good.
Q. Okay.
LIZETTE SALAS: And everything is just coming together just trying to stay one shot at a time. I know it's a little cheese I or cliche, but it's helpful.
Q. Okay. What about so lastly International Crown, you're on the cusp. I think you're mathematically possible to jump in.
LIZETTE SALAS: Oh, I didn't know.
Q. Okay. So it hasn't been on, you haven't been watching?
LIZETTE SALAS: No. I haven't been. You know, it's something that would be a great honor to represent my country again. You know, I'm just looking at baby steps right now, and if that if it happens, I'll be super ecstatic about it, but if not, you know, I got years to come and right now my focus next week's a major, and so my focus is to build up as much confidence as I can in order to win Kraft next week.
Q. Lizette, you talk about keeping it simple, but do you consider yourself a grinder out there? I think I saw you on Monday. Seemed like you were working pretty hard on the range.
LIZETTE SALAS: Yeah. I tend to put in a lot of work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and really just trying to get my routine steady and get a solid pre shot routine, and you know, to have my coach here all three days prepping me, that's been really great for us to work together. And you know, just when I get on the course, it's just pick a target routine and fire at it.
Q. And then will you work on your game right now or will you just kind of take it easy?
LIZETTE SALAS: I'll just have lunch and then work on a couple of putts. I felt like I played really good today. Just a couple putts didn't go in, but other than that, I'm swinging at it pretty good.
JODI EWART SHADOFF, Rolex Rankings No. 53
Q. Okay. We're here with Jodi after round one at the Kia Classic. Jodi, how did your round go today?
JODI EWART SHADOFF: It was pretty steady. I hit like 17 or 18 greens, so that helped definitely.
Just got a new putter in the bag this week, and it holed three or four good putts. And yeah, just steady. Didn't really make any mistakes, so I'm happy.
Q. Now, with the new putter, what has been the big difference, the noticeable difference for you?
JODI EWART SHADOFF: I think the short putts, the putts within six feet. I don't think I missed anything within six feet today, so it's definitely very noticeable with the short putts, so it's nice to see, gives me a lot of confidence.
Q. And what are the specifics on that club?
JODI EWART SHADOFF: Actually, it's the same putter as what I was putting with. It's just a different setup and different length. So you know, I got in at the TaylorMade factory on Monday and got my putter set to the way it should be, and it's paying off, I think.
Q. Now, take us through 18. You birdied that hole. Some players have been saying that's a tough one to finish on or to play in general. Kind of take us through that hole if you don't mind.
JODI EWART SHADOFF: Yeah. It's definitely playing the toughest hole on the golf course today. You know, you can't really for the longer hitters, you can't really hit driver off the tee and then when you're hitting 3 woods, you're still coming in with like 6 irons, so it's tough.
You know, I just played safe, into the middle of the green. The pin was tucked on the left side, and just sneaked in the side door of the hole. So it was nice to finish. You know, I parred every hole on the back nine up until then. So it was nice, nice bonus.
Q. And you talked about playing it safe and finishing strong. Is that your plan for tomorrow, to continue to play it safe and also finishing so strong, how do you feel going into tomorrow?
JODI EWART SHADOFF: I feel good. I really didn't make any my takes out there. I feel solid. Obviously, you know, I hit 17, 18 greens today, so long game is good. I hit 13 fairways, I think. So just to keep up, you know, keep the momentum going and see what happens.
MARIAJO URIBE, Rolex Rankings No. 140
Q: This was your low round of the year so far. What was working for you today and can you take us through your round out there?
URIBE: I took advantage of the first couple of holes where the greens weren’t that bad. I made four birdies on the first five holes and just took it from there. Stayed pretty calm, we were playing pretty slow out there so, just a lot of time down didn’t really think about it that much. I just wanted to be done today and don’t have to come in the morning.
Q: You brought it up – the pace was a little bit slow especially on the back 9. Did it affect your game at all?
URIBE: I mean, it was just a rush at the end. You don’t want to come at 5am to warm up and play one hole. But we were trying to do it as fast as we could and we were always waiting, but I just tried to stay calm and it had affected me in the past and I am glad it didn’t today.
Q: How did you overcome that this time around?
URIBE: Yeah, I think we just, it was a fun group. We get along with the players I was playing with so at least we were waiting with people we like to talk to and it went by faster than other times.
Q: How was it with the darkness coming? I know you had to pick it up there at the end. Could you see anything on the 18th hole?
URIBE: Not really. I mean on the green I am glad we had those shorter green in the books. It was really hard to see if it was uphill or downhill I just wanted to make a par and get out of here.
MARIAJO URIBE, Rolex Rankings No. 140
Q. Okay. We're here with Mariajo Uribe, the co leader, 5 under, co leader with Paula Creamer here at the Kia Classic. This was your low round of the year so far. What was working for you today? Can you take us through your round a little bit?
MARIAJO URIBE: Yeah, I mean just the first I took advantage of the first couple of holes where the greens weren't that bad. Made four birdies on the first five holes and just took it from there, stayed pretty calm.
We were playing pretty slow out there, so just a lot of time down, and didn't really think about it that much. I just wanted to be done today and don't have to come in the morning.
Q. Now, you brought it up, the pace. The pace was a little bit slow for the back nine. Can you talk about that? Did it affect your game at all?
MARIAJO URIBE: I mean it's just a rush at the end. You don't want to come at five am to warm up and play one hole. But I mean we were trying to do as fast as we could, and we were always waiting. But I just tried to stay calm, and it had affected me past and I'm glad it didn't today.
Q. How did you overcome that this time around?
MARIAJO URIBE: Yeah, it was a fun group. We get along well with the players I was playing with, so at least we were waiting with people that we like to talk to and it went by faster than other times.
Q. And how was it with the darkness coming? I know you had to pick it up there at the end, but could you see it on the 18th hole?
MARIAJO URIBE: Not really. I mean on the Green I'm glad we had those shadowed greens on the book, because it was really hard to see if it was uphill or downhill. I just wanted to make a par and get out of here.
BROOKE PANCAKE, Rolex Rankings No. 263
Q. A very solid round for you.
BROOKE PANCAKE: Yes.
Q. You're coming off a missed cut. Any changes you made from last week coming into this one?
BROOKE PANCAKE: No. I actually gained a lot of confidence in my game, starting from last year. I've seen a lot of positive things come from my work with my coach and everything, and last week I missed the cut by one, but I really had some tough breaks on the last few holes, and I guess everyone around me and myself are saying for every tough break, good things are coming, so I guess that's the positive attitude I have to have.
I know that I was hitting it really well, and I felt great coming to this tournament because this golf course benefits someone that's striking the ball really well. You can't really get away with a lot of things, whereas last week you could get away with a couple of miss hit shots. It just came down to the putts.
Q. So the harder it is, you're comfortable with that?
BROOKE PANCAKE: Yes.
Q. How about today, you got to three; right?
BROOKE PANCAKE: 4. I got up to 4. I felt really great. I gave myself a lot of looks at it, and I had some great feel in my putting. The greens out here are extremely tough and made some couple of bogeys coming in, but the golf course is playing a lot more difficult now when the wind's picking up.
Q. Did you bogey 18?
BROOKE PANCAKE: I just did bogey 18. So I finished 2.
Q. Yeah.
BROOKE PANCAKE: That's a really tough finishing hole.
Q. I was going to ask you about that. To me it strikes me as maybe one of the toughest out here on tour. Is it?
BROOKE PANCAKE: For sure. I would say so, especially with the winds kind of into and cross off the tee, you get it down there and it's definitely left to right, and your second shot, so it's injure visually a hard one to kind of grasp.
Q. Who is your new caddie?
BROOKE PANCAKE: Trip Harris.
Q. How long has he been on the bag?
BROOKE PANCAKE: This year.
Q. Just this year?
BROOKE PANCAKE: Yes.
Q. Started at Bahamas?
BROOKE PANCAKE: I wasn't in the Bahamas. I was on my honeymoon. He started last week in Phoenix.
Q. Very good. How did you guys get
BROOKE PANCAKE: Great. He's a swing coach and he's caddied before, so he's phenomenal. I'm very lucky.
Q. Friends or did somebody recommend?
BROOKE PANCAKE: He is Derek's best friend. My husband's best friend. I pretty much begged him to come out here. I was like, please (laughs).
Q. Honeymoon, newlywed, how is the newlywed life treating you?
BROOKE PANCAKE: It's amazing. It really is. It truly is amazing. He is playing himself and he's doing extremely well. He's played some of the mini tour events, E golf, and he hasn't really finished out of the Top 5 in the last three tournaments, so he's being a stud.
Q. What's his last name?
BROOKE PANCAKE: Rende, R E N D E. D E R E K.
Q. We were joking about in the media center about the whole last name thing. Would you ever consider changing it?
BROOKE PANCAKE: Derek and I actually have a, I guess it's like a promise, contract between us, whoever makes our first win, so he has to win on Web.com or PGA, we take the other person's name.
Q. Oh, really? He's going to take your name?
BROOKE PANCAKE: If I make an LPGA win before he takes a win, he's going to take Pancake. Because he gets joked around that he, like people were going when we got married people were going to get him a staff flag that said Derek Pancake and stuff like that. I'm definitely like the old fashioned person, I want to take my husband's name and everything, but I guess since I've already gotten kind of known out here, and a lot of girls out here take their husband's name but then they still go by whatever name they had out here. But it seems so difficult, because like with flights and things, like you get in an Invitational and you have to make sure that they go with and you have to turn your passport in. Someone even said like your frequent flier miles you have to switch over, too. So it seems so difficult. I know.
Q. Stuff like that, that's a lot.
BROOKE PANCAKE: I know. It's more than I even thought about.
Q. Thought it would be a piece of paper and you'd be done, but you're not?
BROOKE PANCAKE: Yes.
Q. All right. Cool. Anything else going into the rest of the week? Anything you're concentrating on hopefully to take over?
BROOKE PANCAKE: Really been working on my putting and timing on my putting. So that's been kind of the next step. This is a good test here.
Q. Is it because the greens are so big or the undulation?
BROOKE PANCAKE: There's major undulations, and the tricky part is like there's only so many places you can put the pins and a lot of positions, like even on this hole, you know, the ideal spot would be like just right of the pin, but the other side of the hole it kind of falls away from you, so there's a lot of putts where if you just putt them just by the hole they kind of trickle away and stuff like that. So they are some tricky slopes.
Q. What did you do on the bogey?
BROOKE PANCAKE: I hit it in the fairway bunker and then just pitched out and hit it on to the green and then two putted.
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