AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

April 1, 2021

Auston Kim

Quick Quotes

Q. Can you talk about how differently the course played today versus yesterday, or was it the same?

AUSTON KIM: It was very, very windy today compared to yesterday. Greens were faster. It just felt like everything was really tight, much tighter than yesterday. I thought the course was hard yesterday. It was even harder today.

Q. I'm wondering about the play up the left side of 18, kind of what was your thought process the way you played 18?

AUSTON KIM: Right when I hit that tee shot, I knew it was way too left. I talked with my caddie, and I told him, I don't think I'm going to go for it today. I just wanted to get it in the middle of the fairway, have a wedge on, left my wedge a little bit short. But I just wanted to get back onto the fairway and have a chance for birdie or two-putt for par.

Q. You were trying to maybe cut something off by going left? Looks like you were headed over there.

AUSTON KIM: No, just went left. Yeah, it just went a little left.

Q. Based on where you finished yesterday in the pack, did it create more nerves, relieve some nerves based on what you thought you had to do today?

AUSTON KIM: I was nervous when I went to bed last night, but I told myself that this is a hard course. Girls are going to play well, but also conditions won't be that favorable today. So just told myself this morning again, I want to be strong, smart, and make good decisions on the course because I know that, if I make birdies and minimize the mistakes, then I'll be fine.

Q. You have a local caddie, is that right?

AUSTON KIM: Yeah.

Q. How did you decide that's the route you wanted to go this week?

AUSTON KIM: I actually didn't know anyone in the area, and I thought, with the caliber of Augusta National and Champions Retreat, getting a local caddie would be a really good idea because they know the courses really well. They have a lot of golf knowledge, and I mean, Scott, my caddie, has been doing an excellent job. I think I made the right decision.

Q. What is the relationship? Is he reading everything for you, helping you with yardages? How are you working together?

AUSTON KIM: It's pretty quiet. I'm doing a lot on my own, but he's helping me with a lot of yardages. I'm just reading the greens on my own. He steps in when it's necessary, but it's been good. There's not a lot of talk, but all the talk is very vital to my game. So it's been good.

Q. What do you think is the most difficult stretch of holes out there? Where is the gauntlet?

AUSTON KIM: I think the last six were playing pretty hard today because the wind picked up. Greens were getting a lot faster. It was kind of crunch time these last six holes. I wanted to make good decisions. I made a few mistakes out there and left a few shots out there. I'm happy with how I played.

Q. You were able to finish your round yesterday. Do you think that was an advantage?

AUSTON KIM: Absolutely, yeah. I mean, it's always hard playing in the afternoon with the threat of weather coming in, but I always love playing in the morning. So I thought I lucked out, got the better end of the stick there.

Q. Talk about your eagle on the 3rd hole.

AUSTON KIM: I hit a good drive, had about 224 in and stuck it to about two feet. I mean, it was two perfect shots. I couldn't have asked for them to be better.

Q. How are you going to prepare for the third round?

AUSTON KIM: Tomorrow I'll have to look at the course a lot because I've never played. Tomorrow will be a mix of enjoyment and focus. I want to make sure that I carry the same keys over into the last round, being smart, decisive, strong. The course will be hard, no doubt, but I know I can do it. I have good things in my back pocket right now. So I'm excited.

Q. Have you been to the Masters like as a spectator before?

AUSTON KIM: No, I haven't.

Q. What was it like having your sister out there watching you?

AUSTON KIM: It's great. I've always followed my sister as a kid, and it's kind of funny because the roles are reversed now, but I've learned basically everything I know from her, watching her growing up. I haven't seen her in a long time because I've been at school and she's been traveling, but getting to see her out there, hearing her support, seeing her smile, that's been very great.