U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

August 17, 2022

Hugo Townsend

The Ridgewood Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Just talk about your match. You were down a little bit early and then you stepped on the gas there.

HUGO TOWNSEND: Yeah, 2-down through two. Wasn't really in a great spot after two holes, but this course is so tough. You can claw back pretty quickly if you just hit some balls in the fairways and put some pressure and have some good birdie putts.

Q. It looked like you birdied a couple of those holes, 3 and 5. How did you do that?

HUGO TOWNSEND: 3, I just played up short left and wedged it to like 10 feet, and then 5, I hit a little 9-iron in there to like 10 feet, as well, and just tapped it in just down the hill.

Q. Then you kind of pulled away on the back side.

HUGO TOWNSEND: Yeah, it was a big hole, No. 9 was a big hole. He was in for par and I had about a 12-footer for par and I made that to tie the hole, and then I go win three straight holes after that. That could have been a momentum switch if I missed that or we tied. Then anything could happen. But I holed out, and then it kind of turned in my favor, and I was just kind of cruising in.

Q. Are you playing well like you did yesterday?

HUGO TOWNSEND: Driving it better today. Iron play not as good. I should probably go and hit some balls on the range right now, maybe just tighten some things up.

Q. Today you took a caddie because in stroke play you carried your own bag. What's the difference there when you have someone on the bag with you?

HUGO TOWNSEND: It's nice. I mean, it's fun to have someone to chat with, especially during match play. Stroke play I feel like most guys -- most guys out here are nice, but in match play it gets a little bit more hostile and maybe not talking as much, so it gets a little lonely if you don't have a caddie. Definitely helps with maybe some laughs here or there or just having some fun. It goes a long way when you're in match play playing one-on-one.

Q. Can you tell us who your caddie is and how long have you known him?

HUGO TOWNSEND: Austin Cody is assistant coach for Ole Miss. I've only known him since I went in the transfer portal after Christmas. Since then we've had a relationship when I decided to sign with Ole Miss for this is my last year. He was here caddying for another player, Kye Meeks. Unfortunately it didn't go his way, missed the cut. But decided to stick around and loop it for me, which is really nice.

Q. Did you have any conversations with him today? Just curious if he either helped you out or made you think differently about any or some of the shots today.

HUGO TOWNSEND: A few. Maybe when we got into the round a little bit more. He's never caddied, he's never been around here. He's never really seen me play golf ever. It's different for him. It's different for me. It was mainly just him carrying around, keeping me in a good mood. When we kind of got into the round, I asked him a few things and we talked through some shots, which was nice. Kind of have to get used to that relationship for this year coming forward because he'll be around for every tournament we play. It's good to start a little early.

Q. Finally as you advance into the round of 32, what are some of the keys to playing good golf on this Ridgewood course?

HUGO TOWNSEND: I'd say good speed control on the greens and kind of being able to analyze what the ball is going to do on the greens. There's a lot of subtle slopes and obviously a lot of major slopes, too, but to kind of be able to call what you think the ball is going to do and then also put the roll on it, it's key out here for sure. You have to put a good roll, and then obviously hitting the fairway. But I'd say speed control and hitting the fairway here goes a long way. Putting some pressure on your opponent by hitting fairways and hitting greens and just kind of lighting them up. Pars out here are most likely going to win matches. If you do that steadily and maybe sprinkle a few birdies here and there, you'll be doing good.