THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

June 17, 2022

Sam Bairstow

Quick Quotes

Q. Easier than you thought, given John's recent record?

SAM BAIRSTOW: I wouldn't say it was easy.

Q. Well, easier than you thought?

SAM BAIRSTOW: I played pretty solid and I don't think John had his best game which is unfortunate because it would have been a great match if we both did. But happy with the result, really, and to get it done on 14, especially.

Q. Is that a bit, when you play two games on a day, it can be difficult.

SAM BAIRSTOW: I definitely felt quite fatigued on the first couple, got some food in and tried to stick to my routine. Just carried on doing that. It's just a tiring format. You've just got to stick in there and grind it out, really, especially around this place.

Q. What has been the key for you all week?

SAM BAIRSTOW: Just hitting fairways and greens, really. If I hit as many fairways as I can, it will take care of itself, really. Just that, really.

Q. You don't seem to have changed much, the emotions, the whole week. Is that standard? Seems to be helping?

SAM BAIRSTOW: I'm pretty calm. Obviously certain situations like the first tee or whatever, coming down the last, you feel a bit nervous but I find if you put on a brave face it's a lot easier to manage them.

Q. How proud are you to do that, given the pressure that's probably been on you a little bit?

SAM BAIRSTOW: Yeah, definitely especially after the first stroke-play round, which check not a great score and then got it around here in 1-under which is big for me. I birdied the last to probably miss the prelims, I think. And just fairways, and greens, really, in the stroke play and match play, even, and kept on doing that.

Q. Last year, three wins altogether.

SAM BAIRSTOW: Yeah, I think I went down the 18th every time last year. So I've only been down it once this year which is nice. Less stressful.

Obviously coming down 18 tomorrow morning, but yeah, we'll see what happens tomorrow and go from there.

Q. And you were in quarterfinals last year?

SAM BAIRSTOW: Yeah, quarterfinals.

Q. Sign of improvement as well?

SAM BAIRSTOW: Yeah.

Q. Obviously we talked yesterday about playing in The Open last year, it's quite incredible because you're, what, 23, to think that you're now 36 holes from being back at St Andrews; is that starting to sink in a little bit?

SAM BAIRSTOW: I don't think I'll try to think about that until tomorrow. No, I can't think about that because otherwise I'm just not going to concentrate on my game, and just keep on doing what I'm doing.

Q. That Open experience may help you.

SAM BAIRSTOW: It will definitely helps with the nerves. Like when I played the Brabazon last year, it helped my nerves, just had to manage them, really, more than anything. But yeah, I'm sure I'll be a bit nervous tomorrow morning.

Q. And I saw your profile from yesterday, you talked about academy football with, was it Chesterfield?

SAM BAIRSTOW: Chesterfield, yeah.

Q. Did that end quicker than you hoped for or was it always going to be on golf?

SAM BAIRSTOW: Well, it's ended now. Otherwise I wouldn't be here.

Q. But you're pretty handy at football, were you?

SAM BAIRSTOW: I doubt I am anymore. I haven't played for however long, so no, I don't think I will be anymore. It's golf.

Q. Englishman tomorrow, final in the Amateur Championship, all the stuff on the line, do you get family, friends, everyone heading up the roads tonight?

SAM BAIRSTOW: I reckon there will be a few coming up. It's just under two hours, so they will have to pay ten pounds and get in.