U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

August 16, 2022

Gordon Sargent

The Ridgewood Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. What did you find in your game today that maybe wasn't there yesterday?

GORDON SARGENT: I drove it a lot better, and it's very important to be in the fairway here. I just played kind of stress-free golf. Hit a couple shots early that could have ended up making bogeys but kind of saved them with pars and kept the momentum. Then just played the last probably 10 holes, didn't really hit -- just really stress free, had birdie looks on almost every single hole. Just to kind of put a good round together and get some momentum going to match play is pretty big.

Q. Was there a number in your mind when you started the day as far as what the cut possibly could be?

GORDON SARGENT: Yes, but I kind of just knew that if I just kept putting the ball in play I was going to be fine and not really worrying about that. Got off to a pretty good start, which is nice. Kind of just got to the point where I could just keep playing my game and not have to worry about that.

I think about it a little bit, but once I knew I was rolling, just not going into protect mode, just keep trying to make birdies.

Q. When I say this is the only bogey-free round in this championship, what's that say to you?

GORDON SARGENT: I think it just gives a testament to just staying disciplined out there and kind of sticking to your game plan and not trying to press. Once you kind of manage your expectations and making adjustments as the round goes, when there's birdies making birdies, but also limiting those mistakes.

Q. What's happened with your expectations this year? Obviously you played well at the SECs, obviously what happened at NCAAs?

GORDON SARGENT: Just understanding where you're going to make your birdies and where par is just a great score. Out here par is a great score on almost every single hole. Once you get in position you can be a little bit more aggressive. I was kind of out of position all day yesterday and made two late bogeys coming in that kind of stung a little bit, but I knew I hadn't played my way out of the championship with not my best stuff, and then to come out here today and just kind of -- the first couple holes are not easy and just keep the ball in front of you and have stress-free pars just helps build momentum, and got some good numbers and was able to go at a few more pins and make a few putts.

Q. Anything you've learned about match play over the last year or so that's going to make you better the next couple days?

GORDON SARGENT: I think just having the confidence in your own game. You've kind of proven that you can compete with the best out here. So just not getting like -- not giving the players holes is big and just kind of playing your own game and not trying to force it too much. If there's time to press, there's time to press, but just kind of starting off and playing your game and knowing that it's good enough.

Q. Of those five birdies was there one you were really proud of?

GORDON SARGENT: The one -- I think my best hole really was hole No. 7, just watching in front of me -- I think all three of them had hit in the water, and just to be disciplined to hit it 25 feet left was pretty big. Hit a really good drive on 9 and couldn't make a 4, but didn't necessarily lose momentum but then to make birdie on 10, just kind of kept the round going then and just played pretty good from there in.