AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

March 29, 2023

Maria Jose Marin

Quick Quotes

Q. 17 pars, 1 birdie. What was working well for you today? And what allowed you to be so clean on the scorecard?

MARIA JOSE MARIN: I think that like the part that was perfect today was my putter. Since the 1st hole, I made everything -- like 1st, 2nd, 3rd hole, I made really long putts for par, and I think that was the key for all the round.

Q. Is putter typically a strong suit of your game?

MARIA JOSE MARIN: It's like a roller coaster. Sometimes it can be really, really good. Sometimes it's not working at all. Right now it's at the top, and I've been really working on it, and it's showing.

Q. Do you think this was the best putting round you've ever had or no?

MARIA JOSE MARIN: Yes, for sure. By far the best round.

Q. Remind me how you got into this field. Was it world ranking, or did you win a tournament with an exemption?

MARIA JOSE MARIN: I think it was because I won a tournament. On January was the International Amateur in Mexico. I think it was because of that. I'm not really sure if it was that or the world ranking.

Q. Now, you're the only Latin American in the field. One, were you aware of that? Two, what does that mean to you to be carrying the flag for all the countries down there?

MARIA JOSE MARIN: First, yes, I was aware of that. Second, it means a lot to me to be here representing Colombia and all Latin America. Like with the result that I had today, I think I'm at the top of the leaderboard or maybe in a good position.

So I'm going to continue doing that and keeping the Colombian flag at the top.

Q. Do you feel like an underdog? Secondly, does seeing teenagers win this event each of the last two years, junior golfers, does that give you confidence?

MARIA JOSE MARIN: It kind of gives me confidence. With Anna winning -- she's 17. She just turned 17. That gives me a lot of confidence. I know I have to keep playing really, really good. Everyone here is really good. And they all deserve the win.