AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

April 2, 2021

Auston Kim

Press Conference

Q. How was it? As magical as you thought?

AUSTON KIM: It was pretty great, yeah. Course is pretty. Greens are very, very, very fast. I thought I was reading putts pretty well and then they would go, they would keep on going. Just got to make sure I read everything right and give myself enough room tomorrow.

Q. Who is caddying for you?

AUSTON KIM: Scott. Yeah, I had him on the bag for the first two days and he's been here for a very long time. He knows this course very well and he's walked it many, many times. I think it will work out.

Q. How does your game set up for this course?

AUSTON KIM: Well, driving feels good. I need to hone down my approaches tomorrow to give myself opportunities, but most of all I think tee to fairway, being precise and minimizing my mistakes there. Trying to get as close as possible, putting them in the right spots on the green and then just hitting solid putts, reading the green well and giving myself enough room.

Q. When you look at the leader board, what's it going to take tomorrow?

AUSTON KIM: It's going to take a lot of strength, a lot of mental power. This course, again, is not easy. It's going to be a long day tomorrow. Want to make sure I get enough rest but also it's going to take -- it's going to take beyond normal strength. I'm going to have to stay patient and strong again. I don't want to get frustrated with myself. I don't want to get too ahead of myself or dwell on past mistakes. I want to stay where my feet are and make sure that I'm smart and make good decisions all day.

Q. How do you balance trying to take any experience playing this golf course today with trying to prepare and win, the golf tournament?

AUSTON KIM: I guess looking at the course and talking with my caddie as much as I could today but also walking down the fairways, looking around, having a few good laughs with my playing partners. It's good to be serious and focused but also this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it's good to look around and be grateful for this opportunity.

One year ago we were not in a good place and this tournament was cancelled and we -- I mean, it just looked like this tournament wasn't going to be played for the longest time. Remembering that, I'm super grateful to be here and this is an opportunity and I'm excited to be in contention for tomorrow.

Q. What's the best part of your game right now?

AUSTON KIM: Probably say my mental game, actually. I'm hitting it well and putting it well. I feel like my chipping is getting better. But the strongest part of my game is probably my mental side. I'm not letting my mistakes get to me. I'm recovering and I'm staying strong all the time. I feel very positive. Feel very strong. I think that's been what's been helping me this past week.

Q. Toughest task you've ever faced mentally tomorrow?

AUSTON KIM: It's only as tough as you make it. I know it's a tough course but I don't want to let it get to me tomorrow.

Q. Do you have a mental coach?

AUSTON KIM: I don't.

Q. How did you come upon these conclusions yourself?

AUSTON KIM: I mean, I guess, just experience, reading a lot and learning from my other teammates. These past few weeks have been very eye-opening as to what I need to work on. One of my teammates said the other day that the small things add up and they really matter, and she's younger than me and she pointed that out.

I mean, I've always worked on those since I was young, since I was a freshman but it took some time to come to that realization, and working on those small keys, again, on those fundamentals and small things that I can control, those are big game changers lately.

Q. What are you reading?

AUSTON KIM: I've read a lot of Vision 54 stuff. I like reading on my own time for leisure or off-school. I like reading anything about history or politics.

Q. How would you describe Augusta National?

AUSTON KIM: It's beautiful. Not a single blade of grass is out of place. Greens are, again, incredibly fast and it's a true test of your skill.

Q. What would becoming a champion at Augusta National mean to you?

AUSTON KIM: To me it would be a validation of my hard work lately, of my mental strength and it would -- it would mean a lot to me as a player and give me a lot of confidence moving forward in my career.

Q. What's your favorite Masters memory?

AUSTON KIM: Favorite Masters memory, watching Tiger win.

Q. Which win?

AUSTON KIM: The latest one, his comeback, yeah.