AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

April 3, 2021

Tsubasa Kajitani

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Good afternoon, everyone. On behalf of Augusta National I'm honored to welcome to the interview room our 2021 Augusta National Women's Amateur Champion, Tsubasa Kajitani.

17 years old from Okayama, Japan entering today's final round tied for fifth with rounds of 73 and 72, Tsubasa carded an even par 72 to finish at 1-over and qualify for today's playoff. She claimed the title on the first playoff hole with a par on No. 18.

Tsubasa, you're the first player from Japan to win at Augusta National. Congratulations to you on this wonderful achievement. We're delighted to have you as our newest champion in the growing legacy of the Augusta National Women's Amateur.

Could you try to put into words what winning this event means to you?

TSUBASA KAJITANI: To be honest, when I came to the States, I didn't expect that that I'm going to win the tournament. And then day by day I have been confident and then I won the tournament, which means my World Ranking is going to be up and hopefully I can play in another big tournament, as well, which is my dream before I came over here, which is a dream come true, as well.

Q. Did you think you had lost the tournament when you made the double bogey on 17, and can you talk about how you approached the 18th hole?

TSUBASA KAJITANI: Of course I have been disappointed, such as I made a double-bogey on 17, but my caddie said just looking forward to 18. So I changed my mind and I just switched off and switched on to the 18th. So that's why I made a par on 18.

Q. What were you trying to do with your third shot on 18? Were you trying to use the slope, in regulation?

TSUBASA KAJITANI: Well, I was confident that somehow I didn't think anything and I just made the putt, that's all that I did.

Q. What do you think the reaction to this will be like in Japan?

TSUBASA KAJITANI: Well, I can't really imagine when I'm back to Japan, but hopefully everybody is happy and will enjoy and I'm looking forward to going back to Japan.

Q. Can you talk about how you feel about how you played the 18th hole both times? Obviously you parred it both times. Were you happy with that performance?

TSUBASA KAJITANI: I was so nervous and I've never been nervous before. I just trust whatever the caddie pointed and I just putted, and that's all I did.

Q. As was mentioned, no player from Asia has won the Masters. How proud are you to be the first to win at this place?

TSUBASA KAJITANI: I really don't mind for the Asian or countries, but I'm really proud that I'm going to be the first winner for Japanese and that makes me proud myself.

Q. Were you aware on the 17th hole that you had the lead at that point and did nerves come into play a little bit at that point that maybe you had not felt the rest of the round?

TSUBASA KAJITANI: There was a sign board and I didn't notice that and I was the leader at the time, so that's it.

Q. At the start of the day, what was your game plan for how you wanted to attack Augusta National?

TSUBASA KAJITANI: Nothing technical-wise as well as no strategy, but I just focused on enjoying the tournament. That's all I did for today.

Q. What does this win mean to you, and how does it change your expectations for the future of the game of golf?

TSUBASA KAJITANI: Well, I just won the tournament, so I don't have any further thoughts. I'm just enjoying this for the time being right now.

Q. During the practice round yesterday and the round today, did it come to mind, memories of watching the Masters and watching Hideki Matsuyama play on this golf course?

TSUBASA KAJITANI: Of course I do look at the Masters Tournament and not only particularly for Mr. Matsuyama, but I remember Mr. Woods when he won the tournament recently back and I have a memory for that. That's the image I have for Augusta National.

Q. How did you choose your caddie for the week? We heard he might speak a little Japanese. Did he, and did that help you during the round and his experience?

TSUBASA KAJITANI: Today's caddie's name is Chad, and Chad has caddied for a few Japanese before, which is Mr. Takumi Kanaya, he played the Masters when he was an amateur, and now he became a professional, as well as two years ago, Yuka Yasuda, she became I think third and she was also using Chad, as well. That's why we just trust him.

And also, while we with were playing the tournament, we were just going to speak English and broken Japanese. That's what we did.

Q. How would you compare the experience of playing the Augusta National Women's Amateur to other high-level events that you've played?

TSUBASA KAJITANI: I've played a few professional tournaments in Japan, as well as some big tournaments in America, but you can't really compare with this tournament.

Q. What's the biggest aspect of the course that surprised you or maybe the biggest thing you learned about the course while playing it for the first time?

TSUBASA KAJITANI: I think Augusta National is going to tell everything about golf, and when I missed the green, it will be really hard to recover and get up-and-down. I made a good shot and I got through it. That's all about Augusta, as well as the course itself is a very beautiful course. Overall, I have so enjoyed it.

Q. What was the best shot you hit today?

TSUBASA KAJITANI: Well, it's hard to describe which one is the best shot. But one shot by one shot, that's I think how I have been, a good shot, so I can't really choose that, which one is my best shot today. But overall, I played pretty good and that's why I won. I can't really describe which shot is best.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you and congratulations again.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Augusta National Women's Amateur champion, Tsubasa Kajitani. Congratulations.