AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

April 1, 2022

Rose Zhang

Quick Quotes

Q. You actually have a couple years experience on this. How did you find the golf course today as opposed to some of the other times you played it?

ROSE ZHANG: Definitely. I felt like it was a little different today. I thought that the greens were definitely something to note at.

I felt like the previous years greens were faster. Actually I feel like this year is more similar to the first year that I played here, and then last year was actually pretty quick.

But I'm sure that the greens are going to dry out a bit tomorrow, so I'm definitely anticipating the greens to be a little faster.

Q. Most challenging hole?

ROSE ZHANG: Most challenging hole? Gosh, I think all are challenging, to be honest.

I feel like -- yeah. I mean, I did triple the easiest hole on the golf course, so I feel like every hole is difficult.

If you were able to execute the golf shots that you need to, getting it in the fairway and then on to the right tier, right green, then it should be a better, manageable course.

But all in all, if you're not able to do that, every hole can be very difficult.

Q. Talking about today the triple or last year?

ROSE ZHANG: Last year.

Q. I was going to say.

ROSE ZHANG: But like it just makes me have -- I feel like I have good memories regardless of that triple.

Q. Was there anything in particular you were trying to accomplish today given you've seen the course before, played it a couple times. Trying to take away something today in particular?

ROSE ZHANG: Definitely. First of all, I was just trying to evaluate my game on the golf course. I feel like every year it's a little different just because I've grown different as a player, as a person.

And the way my golf swing is working every single year, every single week is different. Had to adjust to that.

Also I knew a couple of the pin locations that were frequently placed out here on the golf course, so I've just been trying to hit shots towards that direction.

Especially in the areas where I may have messed up a little bit or needed to work on around the greens. I tried to go into those collection areas that I been to previously.

Q. Who will be caddieing for you tomorrow?

ROSE ZHANG: Yeah, I think it's still my dad on the bag. I really love my local caddie. RJ is amazing and he really provided a lot of insight, but I haven't shared this moment with my dad before so just having him on the bag tomorrow will be a fun experience.

Q. You rely on him for reads and other things?

ROSE ZHANG: I feel like it's more so the confidence factor. I mean, he's been with me the whole time. I mean, overall we both know our games really well, but I don't rely on him I would say.

But I just, you know, I talk to him and then I say what I want to do. He's like, Okay, go ahead. So that's what I do.

But I don't rely on him.

Q. What kind of advantage do you think you might have over the other competitors given the fact you've gone through this a couple times on Saturday under the gun here?

ROSE ZHANG: Yeah, I feel like I've been on this stage before, so it's definitely an advantage in that I know how it feels to play under pressure and I know how the course is playing, especially when you're playing 18 on this huge stage.

So just being able to have that a little bit of experience does give me an advantage. I feel like Augusta National is very tricky, especially if you don't know the course well.

So just being able to see the course a little bit more definitely gives me more perspective.

Q. Many memorable shots here at Augusta National have been hit in the Masters. If someone ten years from now, 20 years from now points to a shot you hit in this Women's Amateur, what would be that most memorable shot that would stand out? If you could author it tomorrow, what would that shot be?

ROSE ZHANG: I think that last year after that triple it's very easy for the entire round to go downhill.

On 14 I really maintained that composure and I was able to hit an iron shot close to the pin to three feet. That three-footer was kind of a slider; it was a downhill putt.

So after draining that putt, making birdie, it really just kind of brought me back into the lead and I was able to just keep playing from there.

I think that that shot and that hole in general was definitely a shot that I will remember, because it was just a massive comeback on my part.

Q. How do you think you're a different player than the player we saw here last year?

ROSE ZHANG: Oh, yeah, I'm definitely a collegiate player now. I'm not a high schooler. So just being able to have that experience of being in college, being at Stanford with my teammates and meeting just so many different people, it really just gives me more perspectives on life.

I feel like just being able to have that under my belt a little more, it really just helps me be more well rounded as a person. I feel like golf is golf. You still go out there, try your best.

At the end of the day, you're at Augusta National. You need to sink in the moment and realize you're here on this amazing platform.