AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

March 30, 2023

Erica Shepherd

Quick Quotes

Q. Tell us about your round today. How did you feel out there?

ERICA SHEPHERD: Yeah, I would say today definitely wasn't pretty, but I knew exactly what I needed to do and was able to do it. That was my one goal, to be around par today, make the cut.

And missed a lot of greens. I'm usually a really good ball-striker but kind of kept my head on straight, was super patient, and it worked out.

Q. This is your fourth time. How does that experience play into staying even keel throughout your round when it's maybe not going your way?

ERICA SHEPHERD: Yeah, I think it makes it a little harder just knowing -- like after being a part of Saturday the first year, knowing what you're missing if you don't make the cut, I think that's definitely something in the back of your mind that other people might not have.

Overall having played Champions Retreat so many times it's definitely an advantage.

Q. You mentioned Saturday, Augusta National. What do you do between now and then? How do you prepare?

ERICA SHEPHERD: Definitely rest a little bit. Just enjoy tomorrow. I'm playing with two of my teammates so it's just going to be a super fun day and just soak it all in. This is going to be my last one, so just really enjoying the moment.

Q. What does it mean to have three players from Duke, two of your teammates? How has that been this week for you?

ERICA SHEPHERD: It's awesome. We got to play the practice round together, so I think practice rounds sometimes can be pretty high stress, so just to have two teammates that are making fun of you and just having laughs, it's always good.

Q. Seasoned vet here. What do you tell your teammates before the practice round as you prepare for Augusta?

ERICA SHEPHERD: Just to soak it all in. Last year we weren't able to chose who we played with, so this year being super grateful we get to enjoy this moment with someone that we love. Just going to be so much fun and I can't wait.

Q. How does that process work of choosing who you get to play with?

ERICA SHEPHERD: You choose in the practice round portal, Tuesday's practice round and then the Friday practice round. It opens at like 9:00 a.m., so we were quick to get together.

Q. Sort of like a concert?

ERICA SHEPHERD: Yeah, all the dad's are rushing in. (Laughter.)

Q. You missed the cut last year. You were spectating on Saturday. Plenty will have that experience where they'll play tomorrow knowing they're not playing the championship round. What advice do you have for newcomers?

ERICA SHEPHERD: That's a tough one. I know last year having missed the cut after making it the previous two years I was super hurt. Just to kind of use that as a motivator and do your reflection after tomorrow.

Allow yourself to enjoy the moment tomorrow. I mean, you're probably going to play like super good. I feel like all the people that missed the cut end up having the round of their lives the next day. Just enjoy it, and a few days go by and reflect and then it'll be the greatest motivator for sure.