U.S. WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

August 5, 2021

Rachel Heck

Westchester Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. So it's been a couple days since seeing the back nine. What did you think?

RACHEL HECK: It's a pretty course. (Laughing.)

Q. First real test. You only lost one hole in your first two matches and then this one gave you a run for your money there. What was it like to get back in the competitive way after cruising through the first couple matches?

RACHEL HECK: Yeah, oh, it was so much fun. I just said to a minute ago, I'll say it again. I think that's what this tournament is all about. You expect to have these kind of matches. Really high pressure. My hands are shaking, my heart is beating so fast, but that's what's fun about it.

Brooke is an amazing player. She's going to go kill Q-School next week. She played so solid. I kept thinking I was going to get a hole back and then she would make some crazy up and down or make a putt. It was such a good match.

Q. Seemed like every time she made a move you were right there to get back to even believe what does a say about your game that you were able to kind of stick it through even though you really haven't had those tests like a lot of other players have had this week so far?

RACHEL HECK: Yeah, I think it's super important to stay mentally there, and I think my dad and I really did that today. You know, never giving up. She would drain a long putt, we're still in it. We're not going to get too down on ourselves.

Q. You've got experience with dad on the bag. What's like to have that not only fatherly figure, but someone you have that strong relationship with to be on the bag with and carry you through those times where it does get a little more difficult on the course?

RACHEL HECK: Yeah, no, I think it's so important at times when I am so stressed, because he's seen me stressed since I was a baby so he knows how to deal with it. He keeps me calm and keeps me happy. We really have fun out there.

Q. (Regarding ROTC program.) Is there any reason you're rocking the Air Force hat today, not Stanford gear?

RACHEL HECK: You know, I wear a lot red and sometimes I like to mix it up. Sometimes there is a lot of pictures of me in red. Like, we'll throw in a little blue.

Q. There were 3 of 16 from Stanford and now 2 of 8. How deep is this team?

RACHEL HECK: That's incredible. I actually didn't know how the matches finished, so it's so good to hear we got another one in the top eight. I mean, we're stoked about the future. And getting Rose on our team, too, we're going to have a lot of fun the next few years.