U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

August 13, 2021

Matthew Sharpstene

Oakmont Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Another exciting match. You like them close.

MATTHEW SHARPSTENE: I told my dad walking up 18, I was like, I just can't get a match done before 18.

Q. How about the bunker shot at 17?

MATTHEW SHARPSTENE: Yeah, that was good. I think it started on 16. Lost 15 to go 1-down and I had a pretty difficult bunker shot on 16; ended up rolling in like a 20-footer for par and that got ne going.

17 I hit a good drive and --

Q. What did you hit off the tee?

MATTHEW SHARPSTENE: I hit driver, yeah. And that bunker shot, I had a good lie, so that made things a little bit easier. Yeah, it was a good shot.

Q. And then your thoughts as you played 18.

MATTHEW SHARPSTENE: Yeah, you know, when I saw 'em drive it in the bunker and I was in the fairway I was like, Wow, I've get the upper hand here now. I hit a good shot and just had a smooth 7-iron. I didn't really -- wasn't that stressful really. I did think that he was going to make that putt for par on 18. Thought it was a pretty makable putt.

But what a guy he is. He's a great guy.

Q. And you've known him before?

MATTHEW SHARPSTENE: Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Q. And you played college golf?

MATTHEW SHARPSTENE: Yeah.

Q. Last question is: Here you are making that one step closer. It's familiar territory for you. What's that feel like?

MATTHEW SHARPSTENE: Yeah, I just take that experience from last year, take it into this year, and it gives my a lot of confidence going forward. Just keep playing my game and see where it goes.