AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

April 1, 2023

Jenny Bae

Quick Quotes

Q. Tell us about the second shot.

JENNY BAE: I had kind of like a stance where the ball was on top, and I had the right number and then the right distance. I felt confident. But I think I just tugged it a little bit, and it went past the green into the bushes in the back.

I mean, I tried, but Rose, she had a fantastic day. Hat's off to her.

Q. How would you describe your day? To start pretty far back and keep kind of climbing away, chipping at the lead.

JENNY BAE: I think like today my round was great. It was really smooth. I honestly didn't feel like I really hit a bump. I would say that I was a little bit tense, a little bit nervous the first few holes, but I think that's where my caddie played a big role in trying to keep me patient and keep it rolling.

Q. When did you feel in it?

JENNY BAE: I think I kind of lost track of time around 6 or 7. The only thing I could think of right now is I just want to hit the ball as close as possible and hopefully see where it goes.

Q. You decided to stay with the coach on the bag instead of going with a local caddie. Can you talk us through that decision?

JENNY BAE: I never planned, not once in my head thought I was going to change. Josh is a fantastic caddie and even better coach. I trust him with all my life.

Just having him on my bag, I never felt so comfortable. I think that's a key thing when playing such a big tournament.

Q. Take us through that second shot at 17 and what a thrill that was. What was your yardage, your club?

JENNY BAE: I think I played around 100 to 105, and I hit a 54 wedge. Josh was just like, just hit a stock 54. Don't try to push it. And I was like, okay.

I hit it, and next thing you know there's just a bunch of roaring and saying, go Dawgs. I got up there and it was about a foot.

Q. What was the emotion in that for you?

JENNY BAE: I don't think I've ever felt happier on a golf course that much in my life. Yeah, I saw it and I marked it and I hit it. I mean, I've never heard such big like yelling on a golf course. It just felt amazing.

Q. Jenny, you had a fantastic week. I mean, you and Rose were tied for the 54-hole record for this tournament. Give us an idea of how this year in particular has been maybe different or what's been different from years past.

JENNY BAE: I would say last year I was a little inexperienced, especially both my caddie and I. We were just going for all the pins. It didn't really matter. We'll deal with the consequences later, but we've got to hit it first.

I think this year we focused a little bit more on targets and just a little bit of green reading and speed. I think that just played a major role in how I played.

Q. Have you played a few rounds here outside of last year's?

JENNY BAE: Yeah, so I played I think my freshman year with the team. Aside from that, not much, no.

Q. What can an experience like today do for you moving forward into a pro career and things like that?

JENNY BAE: It will definitely give me a lot of confidence, especially I just shot 9-under in one of the most stressful and pressuring environments.

I can just take so much from this. Once I start my Epson TOUR career, I'll be a lot more confident heading in.