THE MODERATOR: Here with Lexi Thompson, our clubhouse leader today and the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. You kicked off your round really well with the three birdies. Talk us through that opening stretch and how it gave you the confidence to get through the rest of the round.
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, it's a golf course that very first-shot oriented, but I would say I probably got pretty lucky on my first -- not the first hole, but 2 and 3. Hit it in the rough and ended up getting some pretty decent shots out of the rough and gave myself some birdie opportunities.
But just tried to stay in the moment out there and really visualize my shots and pick small targets and just commit to it. You know there is going to be shots that hit a tree and like you have to punch out and make -- try to give yourself a par save.
Take your bogey and go to the next hole and keep on playing aggressively. I had a good start, so just tried to keep rolling with be confident with that.
Q. I know everyone has been talking about how important off the tee is, but I'm looking at the stats and your approach play was really good today. Did it feel really good and how important do you think that second slot, that approach shot is?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, of course the second shot is important too, but out here it's definitely first shot. They're definitely tight tee balls. So getting it in the fairway and giving yourself at that opportunity to be able to go for some pins.
They tucked some pins out there so you just really have to play it in the middle of the green and give yourself some 20-, 25-footers and take your and run. If not, birdie is a bonus.
Yeah, my approach shots felt great. They felt really good last week, so just trying to simplify things and get in a rhythm with my swing.
Q. Nice playing.
LEXI THOMPSON: Thank you.
Q. You would you describe free-swing Lexi?
LEXI THOMPSON: I said that comment; now that's going to be all it is. I would say just a good solid tempo. My swing has always been a bit fast. A good solid tempo throughout the whole swing. Just seeing that draw out there, especially off the tee boxes. That's always what I've done every since I was little.
So just being comfortable with that and really committing.
Q. Any saves today that stood out?
LEXI THOMPSON: Saves? There probably is. I think I got up and down coming down the stretch. You know, hit a good iron shot and ended up one bouncing over the green and hit a good chip up to three, four feet and made the putt.
Besides that, there probably was. I just don't know. My mind is not there right now. (Smiling.)
Q. You look like you're having so much fun out there. How did the partnership with your caddie, Mark, come about, and how is he helping you the most?
LEXI THOMPSON: I've known him for a very long time and we've always had a very great friendship. We get along so well; just never have worked together. I've always considered him one of my great friends out here that I go to, and vice versa. We always have a good laugh with each other and really look for each other in a friendship when needed.
So I was like, you know what? This sounds great. Let's just work together and see how it does. No matter what, we'll always have that friendship and bond. That will never leave us.
Ended up working out. He's amazing out there for me. He's very positive, and that's what I need out there.
Q. What are the things he says to you to keep you in the moment or lighten the mood?
LEXI THOMPSON: Secrets. Secrets. No, just positive affirmations. That's all a player can ask for.
Q. Obviously you had the great week last week and mentioned finding a little bit of something. When did you start to have that feel come together and start to see this kind of play show up again?
LEXI THOMPSON: I would say Tuesday or Wednesday of last week. It was really kind of last minute. I worked extremely hard when I was home, but wasn't really latching onto something in particular. I just got there that week and I don't know if it was the atmosphere of the event and just enjoying being out there, but just felt more free. Enjoyed myself a lot more, so kind of just all clicked.
Q. When you're rolling in the birdies and having a good time with your caddie, how easy does golf feel?
LEXI THOMPSON: I wouldn't say it ever feels easy, especially not on this golf course. No, I mean, yes, it feels easier on the mind. There is always that matter that you don't want to get too far ahead of yourself and just staying in the moment.
Golf is a frustrating game and it can switch very quickly. You just try to build on the good shots and keep positive out there. You're going to hit bad ones and just have to let them go as quickly as possible.
Q. We've seen you laugh a lot on the golf course the last couple weeks. Having that kind of flood of positive energy, how does that help you stay in the moment when maybe you hit one long or have to get up and down or something like that?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, it's a huge help. Of course if I go and hit a bad shot I'm not going to be laughing, but I just try it let it go as quickly as possible. You know, like I said, you're going to hit bad shots.
It's important to stay positive when it's really good, and even if you hit a bad shot, just reassure yourself that you can get the next one and be positive and go into the next one.
If you make a bogey, just move on. There is more holes to be played.
Q. Is there a scenario in which you would win a big title and potentially change your mind about the whole full time thing?
LEXI THOMPSON: I figured I would be getting that question. I'm just taking it one day at a time. I made my announcement. I'm very content with it.
Golf is a crazy game, so I'm not going to look too far ahead. Just taking it one day at a time and see where it takes me.
