U.S. MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

September 28, 2021

Christian Sease

Sankaty Head Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Doug Hanzel is a very experienced player. What was that like playing against him today?

CHRISTIAN SEASE: I mean, he's a legend. Just to watch, at 64, to come out here and play at such a high level -- the dude hits it probably 280, 290. It's unreal. I just hope I can play at that level when I'm that age.

I mean, what an experience just to be out here and to play. I played pretty well. We both got into some trouble, but we both kind of hit some good shots out of there and made several birdies and really good up-and-downs for par, but it was just a grind.

Just happened to get in the bunker on the left of 17 and hit an incredible bunker shot to about three feet and had that for birdie and was able to make it. I didn't want to send it to 18. I knew I needed to make that one. But yeah, just really blessed to be in this position.

Q. One or two key holes that you think swung it your way?

CHRISTIAN SEASE: Yeah, so on No. 8, Doug had hit it in the fairway left, and I hit a good tee shot, and it hit right on the lip of the bunker and stayed in the bunker. Tough break, but it was about a foot from going over, but I was able to get a 7-iron out about 184 yards downwind. Hit a great 8-iron to probably about 15 feet, and Doug had hit an incredible 3-wood to maybe 17 feet for eagle. He putted first, hit it to just about three and a half feet short, and then I made that one. That was a big one because it was one that I could have easily gone 1-down on. I was able to win 9 to get to 1-up. But that was probably the key.

And then another big momentum swing was I was 1-down going into 13, and hit it to about a foot for birdie and made that one. That was a big one to tie it up.

Q. What club did you use there?

CHRISTIAN SEASE: I was about 72 yards and just hit a lob wedge. Hit it to about -- actually both times we played it today, I've hit it to a foot and a half and a foot, so that hole has been pretty good to me so far.

Yeah, so just was able to get a win on 15 after Doug's ball flew the green out -- caught a flier out of the rough. Yeah, and then the birdie on 17 was huge.

Q. I know you expected to play well in this even though it's your first USGA championship, but are you even a little bit surprised that you're this far into it now, into match play?

CHRISTIAN SEASE: I mean, it's one of the -- you think you'll be there, but until you really do it, you don't really know. I just have a lot of confidence in my game. I think the course sets up well for me. It's kind of similar to what I grew up on. I grew up in the wind at the Country Club of Charleston. Just the way the bunkering and very undulating greens -- I kind of felt at home. So that was good.

But yeah, just been playing a lot of good golf. Like I told you earlier on Saturday, felt like I had a ton of experience even though I'm one of the younger guys here, which is kind of crazy to even think of at 27. But yeah, it's a treat, it really is.

Q. You and I both know it's been a good week for the home life as you and your girlfriend both made match play, she in the women's Mid-Amateur. Unfortunately she lost her match yesterday, but have you had conversations with her about the experience and how closely do you think she's following what you're doing?

CHRISTIAN SEASE: Yeah, I actually called her as soon as I got back. I guess the scores hadn't updated, so she was like, did you win? Did you win? I was like, yeah. It's been a treat.

I'm so proud of her but hate that her match ended the way it did. But she'll be back, I think. There will be good things next year.

Yeah, it's fun having a girlfriend that competes at such a high level. We have some very intense matches back at home.

Q. You have to give strokes I bet?

CHRISTIAN SEASE: No, uh-uh. She makes me putt everything out, too. I think it's definitely helped both of us just being able to play and kind of push each other a little bit in that way.

Q. It's probably exciting for her to watch you advance even though she can't be here.

CHRISTIAN SEASE: Yeah, definitely. I know, it's such a beautiful place, but it's a little farther away, so unfortunately couldn't have her here or some other family members.

Q. I guess you have to take a lot of pictures.

CHRISTIAN SEASE: Exactly. I've taken a lot. Such a cool place. It really is.