U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

August 14, 2021

Nick Gabrelcik

Oakmont Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, he had it square on 8. Kind of what happened? I know what happened on 9. What were you thinking after 8. Where did you feel you were at that point in terms of your game?

NICK GABRELCIK: Felt pretty good. After No. 8 I thought the momentum kind of switched and I was going to turn it on. Just some bad tee shots, bad iron shots put me in some bad positions, and I didn't really put enough pressure on James that really made him fumble or get in bad positions himself.

Q. When it was a little softer than normal out here, did you think there was a chance to make some birdies or would you still have to just be cautious out here?

NICK GABRELCIK: Definitely was a chance to make some birdies, but you definitely got to be cautious as well. If you're too aggressive on some holes -- and No. 8 going long, you just can't do that -- it's difficult.

No. 11 going long, it's just difficult.

So you got to learn how to try and go for birdies but also going for pars.

Q. Did you notice a difference in pressure from earlier in the week to last night before this match because of what was on the line?

NICK GABRELCIK: Yeah, a little bit more pressure. I tried not to focus as much as I could on the exemptions or what I could have got from this week. I think maybe I did a little too much and got a little antsy I would say.

That's just something I'll learn and get better at in it the future?

Q. Had you played with James before today?

NICK GABRELCIK: No, I've never met James until today.

Q. Talk about that run he made in the middle of the round where he won 9, 10, 11 and what happened there.

NICK GABRELCIK: Yeah, he just played really solid. Parred 9, hit a great iron shot when he knew I was in trouble to put the pressure on me.

11 he made birdie.

12 he laid up, hit it close. Made me have to get aggressive. I didn't hit the greatest shot.

And then just after that he just had to cruise in and make pars and hope I didn't make birdies. The way it was going today, I think he kind of knew that was unlikely because my putter just wasn't there.

Q. What was the feeling like out there with so many people? I'm not sure you played in front of that many people before.

NICK GABRELCIK: Yeah, this is definitely the most people. I didn't feel any pressure with them. I'm one who likes the bigger crowds, and just knowing everybody back home was watching on TV, I actually felt quite comfortable with it.

Hopefully I have more opportunities to play with a bigger crowd.

Q. Is it awkward at all, maybe a couple times late in the front nine when you guys got to a tee you pretty much had to wait for the fairway or greens to clear of all the people? You seem like a fairly quick player.

NICK GABRELCIK: Yeah, I'm a quick player, but that doesn't really bother me as much as it may some people. I just like to talk to my brother, whoever is on the bag, just to distract me.

Q. Brother talk back to you?

NICK GABRELCIK: Yeah, tries to. Until I'm a little upset. Then he let's me have my space.

Q. It's been a big year for you even coming all the way this way. What do you take forward into next season?

NICK GABRELCIK: Just the learning experience here, the competitive aspect, knowing my game is in somewhat of a good position heading into fall and my teammates are playing well right now.

Q. Can you talk about the expectations you had going into your freshman year a year ago and how different they are now?

NICK GABRELCIK: Yeah, my biggest goal freshman year was to win a college event. I eventually won three. Me and my coach have already talked about it. I was on the watch list for the Haskins this year, and I want to put myself back in that position. The biggest goal is to maybe win that title.