U.S. WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

August 12, 2022

Saki Baba

Chambers Bay

Quick Quotes

Q. Let's start with the hole-out on 12. Talk about that.

SAKI BABA: The opponent's drive went to a really good position. I just had to make that birdie. That's where I aimed it, and I didn't expect it to go in. I'm really happy about it.

Q. What was the yardage on it?

SAKI BABA: 118.

Q. You're going to be a senior in high school?

SAKI BABA: I'm a junior -- well, ends in April, so...

Q. Was this trip to the U.S. this summer your first time playing in the U.S.?

SAKI BABA: Sorry, I'm a junior in Japan, graduating next year.

Q. You're making it look so easy out there. What are the strengths of your game right now?

SAKI BABA: Well, in my case, it's being able to do my usual golf and enjoying out there and not really concentrating on winning, just enjoying it. That really helped.

Q. What would it mean to you to win two more matches and take home the U.S. Amateur trophy?

SAKI BABA: Of course I would be very, very happy. Because I played in the U.S. Open, that really helped me, and coming to the States is making it a lot more interesting for me with these conditions, so if I win, I'd be really, really happy, plus I'll be able to play in next year's U.S. Open.

Q. What have you enjoyed most about the summer in the States playing in these three USGA championships?

SAKI BABA: The people here are so nice, so I was able to meet those people, and it made me really happy. Being able to play in the States is so different from what I've been playing, so that's what made me happy.

Q. What's different about the playing style here, the courses that you've been playing?

SAKI BABA: The spectators are different, how it's set up, making it fun.

Q. What are your favorite holes on the course besides 12?

SAKI BABA: 6 maybe.