U.S. MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

September 15, 2022

Bryce Hanstad

Erin Hills

Quick Quotes

Q. That was quite a crazy match. You took a 3-up lead early and he came back on you and you had a lot of tight holes until the end there.

BRYCE HANSTAD: Yeah, I feel like we were both kind of humming along there through the end of the front nine. I didn't feel like I gave away any holes. He just kind of went and got some to pull even there late in the match.

But yeah, we didn't have our best stuff coming down the stretch, but that's okay.

Q. You won 17, correct?

BRYCE HANSTAD: Yeah.

Q. With a par?

BRYCE HANSTAD: Yep, yep.

Q. Great shot in there.

BRYCE HANSTAD: Yeah, it was a long hole today, so I hit driver, a good 7-iron into the middle of the green. I knew Andrew was in a little bit of trouble over there in the fescue, and we needed to grind out a good 4, so just tried to play the percentages and hit a good shot in the middle of the green and two-putted.

Q. This hole has gotten everybody; it's the hardest hole during stroke play and I went back and researched it. There's been one birdie among the eight of you in all the rounds.

BRYCE HANSTAD: Yeah, I can see why. Yeah, it was unfortunate Andrew lost one left there, both the first hole of the day and then in the playoff.

Q. Second shot or --

BRYCE HANSTAD: Tee shot.

Q. Into the penalty area?

BRYCE HANSTAD: Yeah, so he ended up going back and re-teeing. Yeah, hit a good bunker shot out of the fairway bunker there and left ourselves a full club in there, and cozied down the putt there, and a little less stressful.

Q. Made bogey, correct?

BRYCE HANSTAD: Yeah.

Q. Just knowing that your opponent is in trouble --

BRYCE HANSTAD: Exactly. I think that's the interesting and fun thing that match play brings and something I've always enjoyed about it.

Q. Is this your first Mid-Am?

BRYCE HANSTAD: This is my second Mid-Am. I played the 2018 in Charlotte, so yeah, this is my second one.

Q. You were born in Fargo, correct?

BRYCE HANSTAD: Born in Fargo.

Q. When did you move to Minnesota?

BRYCE HANSTAD: Super early. My parents, we lived in Alexandria probably since I was about two, so about two hours northwest of Minneapolis, and then my wife and I have been in the Minneapolis area for the last 10 or 11 years.

Q. Was the big win over the medalist, did that kind of give you the confidence that maybe I can go and make a deep run?

BRYCE HANSTAD: Yeah, I mean, I've always said if I can get myself into match play, I've got a good chance to go for a deep run. Match play has always been something I've excelled at and enjoyed. So yeah, it's pretty surreal right now.

Q. You're into the semifinals. You've got a two-year exemption at least and there's a lot more still to play for.

BRYCE HANSTAD: Yeah, it'll be a fun day tomorrow. I think it's almost just kind of a numbing feeling being exhausted. It's almost tough to muster up a little bit of nerves, but they still seem to creep through.

Q. You played at Colorado State?

BRYCE HANSTAD: Yeah.

Q. Three-time Mountain West player, all-conference?

BRYCE HANSTAD: Two or three times. I can't remember exactly. I played for Coach Bermel out there.

Q. And then moved back to Minnesota?

BRYCE HANSTAD: Yeah, yep.

Q. You were a pro briefly?

BRYCE HANSTAD: Yeah, for about a year, year and a half or so, and then I didn't want my life to depend on a little white ball. No, it's been great. I took a few years to find a passion after getting my am status back. Didn't really play anything for a handful of years. But just had a really great coach in Brandon Sutton at my home club and had a great partnership --

Q. Where is that?

BRYCE HANSTAD: Olympic Hills Golf Club.

Q. Obviously a nice run; was 2018 when you first got back into competitive golf?

BRYCE HANSTAD: A few years before that. I hadn't really attempted to qualify that I can remember for the Mid-Am. Maybe a couple times before that. But no, this one is super nice that it's right across the border in Wisconsin.

Q. Four or five hours?

BRYCE HANSTAD: Yeah, so it made things -- granted, it's been a logistical nightmare for everybody this week, the USGA included. They've done a fantastic job. But definitely helps us feeling more comfortable in our own car and being somewhat close to home. There's a lot of support back there.