CURTIS CUP

June 12, 2022

Rachel Kuehn

Merion Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Does this feel any different than last time around?

RACHEL KUEHN: It's been really cool. There's been so much support out here. Just the membership and the people in the surrounding area have been incredible. I couldn't have dreamed there would be this many people out, but to win on home soil is even more special than winning at Conwy.

Q. What was the exchange with your mom?

RACHEL KUEHN: Yeah, it was really special. I'll tell you what's funny, I walked off 16 and she looked at me, she's like, well, your half a point is clinched; I'm like, I don't want half a point; I've still got a match to play, Mom. So I went out and she came and gave me a big hug after 17, but just having my whole family here was just incredibly special, and I just appreciate them and their support so much.

Q. It's cool enough to play in a Curtis Cup and win a Curtis Cup, but you did it twice within 10 months. Can you talk about how cool it was to have this happen so soon after your last Curtis Cup?

RACHEL KUEHN: Absolutely. It was a really quick turnaround, but I think it was a really cool opportunity because the core of the team kind of stayed the same. We had a couple newcomers, but yeah, it just gave us a chance to get to know each other even better and gel so well, and to get to know the GB&I girls even better too. We had two incredible hosts at Conwy and Marion, and they're just two incredible weeks.

Q. How much did that closeness help contribute to your success this week?

RACHEL KUEHN: Absolutely. Our team gelled so well. I think it was a huge factor to our success. Anyone can go out and play with anyone, and there was no issue, there was no tension, there was nothing. We just enjoyed each other, and I think that speaks to just how close we are.

Q. A lot of this team kind of remained the same between the past two years. How much closer did you guys get?

RACHEL KUEHN: No, we definitely did, lots more memories this week, and I think we all keep in contact with each other, obviously, between like 10 months ago and now, and just the inside jokes will continue on.

I just feel really close to everyone, and I know everyone just a little bit better.

Q. You put a really good game face on when you're out on the course, but how much did it elevate you?

RACHEL KUEHN: Absolutely, yeah, the people out here, they really hyped us up, and I think that's really special. It's not something you get very often in golf. So to have any kind of chance to play as a team, to represent my country and then to do it in front of a home crowd, there was definitely -- it definitely helped my golf game.

Q. I noticed throughout the week that you really made an effort to go out of your way to talk to any kid possible. What inspires you to make sure that --

RACHEL KUEHN: Yeah, I mean, all the kids out here, that's the next generation of golfers, and you don't know -- there's a lot of kids that have never picked up a golf club and came out to watch, and this will be why they start golf. You never know because that could be the next Curtis or Walker Cupper.

I just think that any kind of connection we can make with any kid, it doesn't mean as much to us, but it changes their world. I think that's just a really cool opportunity, and I just feel blessed to have that platform to do that.

Q. Were there any interactions that stuck out to you?

RACHEL KUEHN: Yeah, I talked to a lot of different little girls and little boys that I asked them what's your name and how old are you and are you a golfer, and a lot of them were like, well, yeah, I'm just kind of starting, and I was like, but you're going to get serious about it now, right? And they're like, well, yeah. That's exactly what you come out here for, to get to see competitive, friendly golf, and competition at the highest level, be fierce but yet respectful. I think if you can provide that, that perspective for those kids, I think it's huge.

Q. The No. 1 player in the world is on your team; she seemingly doesn't have any kind of airs about her. How much does that set the tone for the rest of the team?

RACHEL KUEHN: Absolutely. Rose's golf game is incredible, but she's an even better person off the golf course than she is player on the golf course. Like you said, she's one of the most down-to-earth people I've ever met. She has every reason in the world to be full of herself, yet she's not at all. Like you said, I think that kind of does something for our team. Everyone contributes, everyone has to play, everyone has got to put points up on the board, and that's the beauty of team golf is that one point is one point and everyone has got to do their part, and I think we all understand that and we all know that.