AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

April 1, 2022

Amari Avery

Quick Quotes

Q. What was the most challenging hole you played today?

AMARI AVERY: Oh, man. Give me a second. I'd probably say was it 6 or 7?

Q. Why?

AMARI AVERY: I'm going to take that back. I think all the holes are tough. There we go. I think they're all tough in their own way, and it's just kind of learning from champions and taking one shot at a time.

It's very difficult obviously. It's Augusta National for God's sakes.

Q. What do you think is going to go through your mind and tomorrow morning before you tee off?

AMARI AVERY: Tonight I'm just relaxing. I'm tired. It's been a long week. I've been traveling a lot for other tournaments. When I'm off the golf course, I'm off the golf course, nothing else to do.

When we come out tomorrow, it will just be focus and doing what I have to do. I'm sure the 1st tee I'll be a little nervous, but once I get that first tee shot off, I'll be fine.

Q. It's often hard to maybe temper expectations because you are a freshman. Just how much do you want to win, and how much do you believe you can get it done?

AMARI AVERY: I mean, I want to win more than anything. I think that's just in my blood. I'm almost a perfectionist. It's like I put myself in a pretty good position, so I think that whatever I set my mind to, I can do.

Like I said, one shot at a time. It's a difficult course. There's a lot of good players out here. So a lot of good golf to come. So we'll see.

Q. Was there something in particular you were hoping to get out of today's round?

AMARI AVERY: Not really. I have a really good caddie on the bag. I was just looking for some good advice and good tips. I think I got that and more. I'm just looking to have a smooth round and just see what different shots they might have. I think I got all that.

Q. Will you have your coach caddie tomorrow?

AMARI AVERY: I will not. Justin is off the bag now. I've got a new caddie. I've got an Augusta caddie, local caddie. I think it's a smart decision. He knows everything about the course. Justin is obviously a very good caddie, but I need some more experience.

Q. Who's going to be out there watching tomorrow?

AMARI AVERY: My whole family, my mom, dad, and my little sister Alana.

Q. You're one of the longer players in the field. Can you give us a sense, can you reach the par-5s in two or with some of the clubs you have the par-4s?

AMARI AVERY: I can reach some of them in two. If the wind picks up a little bit and is into us a little bit, I think I'll just layup. If the wind is favorable, I think I can go for pretty much all of them.

The par-4s aren't too long actually. I think the most I have is a 7-iron or 6-iron on some, but that's a stretch even. It's pretty short in, and it's not too bad.

Q. What's an aspect of the course that you find challenging?

AMARI AVERY: Probably the greens. I played last year in the practice round, so I kind of knew what to expect, but I mean, every time, I think every time anyone comes here, there's always something that throws them off. Larry, my caddie, will just tell me some things about the greens, and I'm like, I'm not seeing that. But I hit the shot where he tells me, and he's definitely right.

Q. What's maybe the best piece of advice that Sean's given you about this event entering the week?

AMARI AVERY: Yeah, I called him earlier today after I wrapped up my two holes. I was like, hey, you got any tips for me? He was just like, no, not really. Just keep playing your game. You're doing fine.

He gave me some tips on some of the holes, what's playing over par, what's playing under par. Basically just leave it below the hole. It's pretty difficult to do, but I'll try.

Q. He gave you the keys to the car and just said go for it?

AMARI AVERY: He said just go ahead and go. See where you go.

Q. Obviously with the history of this club, do you have any idea the impact that a victory by you could have tomorrow?

AMARI AVERY: I think I have a glimpse of what it would look like and what the impact would be, but it's a lot to think about even right now. There's a lot of great players out here. I think I'm playing some pretty good golf. We'll see. We'll see. I think it's a good time for women's golf, especially minorities as well. So it's good.

Q. Is it hard to think of yourself maybe as like a young trailblazer in the game?

AMARI AVERY: No, no, I've heard it before. I think it's nice. Being a trailblazer is nice to have it going for you. Like I said, we'll see tomorrow, but it feels good.