U.S. GIRLS' JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

July 20, 2023

Sidney Yermish

USAF Academy Eisenhower Golf Club

Press Conference

Q. You were up and got a little close. Were you feeling the pressure a little bit?

SIDNEY YERMISH: Towards the end definitely, yes. 15 seemed to be the turning event this entire week. Like I have not been down and I for the most part have gotten bigger leads like the round of 4 and today I was 4-up going into 14. And we tied 14 and going into 15. Just, I had played a sloppy hole. So that's kind of how it ended up being today. And that's really when I started to feel the pressure. Because I was forced to make shots versus just let things happen.

Q. So would you say that's the first time this week you were really kind of feeling some pressure?

SIDNEY YERMISH: Towards the end, yes. Definitely.

Q. You've obviously been playing really well. Is there something about the course that you feel suits you?

SIDNEY YERMISH: I really like the course for my game. I hit a pretty long ball and so it's pretty wide open. I don't feel very constricted off the tee. But I love difficult green complexes and this course is just that. So that's where really I find I succeed. This course is perfect for my game.

Q. Is it confidence in your putting?

SIDNEY YERMISH: I have confidence in my putting, for sure. Started early in the week with stroke play. Came right off the bat putting well. So feel good making some clutch putts and even just if I need to lag a putt up there I feel good doing that as well.

Q. Any key takeaways so far from the week?

SIDNEY YERMISH: Yeah, I mean, I learned so much about my game just in the past three matches. This is my first time making it to match play in any event. So being able to experience that is a completely different ball game. Like completely different. I was really, overall, I was just really able to learn like more about myself and how when I thrive and how I compete and take advantage of that this week.

Q. Is this your second match play event or have you played more?

SIDNEY YERMISH: No, this is my second Junior, but this is my first match play.

Q. How do you feel in the format compared to stroke play?

SIDNEY YERMISH: I love it. I love match play.

Q. What do you love about it?

SIDNEY YERMISH: Definitely easier to, when a good shot's made, it's definitely easier to continue on with that and just keep putting the pedal down. That's how I feel. During the entire round, I mean, even if I was 4-up, it's never like, Oh, let's just lag it up there. Let's just -- I mean, I'm playing my game the whole time and I feel like that's really important for me to succeed in match play.

Q. Is that what you're thinking going into your next match just pedal to the metal?

SIDNEY YERMISH: Totally. Play my game and see how it goes.

Q. You're a two-time state champ. How has that experience helped you in events like this?

SIDNEY YERMISH: Definitely pressure. Especially towards the end, like, you know, I mean, most events like that just put pressure and so being under more pressure in more events will just make you a better player. So I definitely have seen that so far this week.

Q. You're a volunteer firefighter?

SIDNEY YERMISH: I am.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about it?

SIDNEY YERMISH: Yeah, so like what do you want to know about it?

Q. How did you get started in it, why do you like it, what do you do?

SIDNEY YERMISH: So basically I got started -- it was during COVID and I was kind of really getting into fitness. Something just kind of weirdly clicked and I was like, Oh, like these fire trucks are so cool. So I went down to my fire station and they were like, We would love to have you join, blah, blah, blah. So I tried it out and instantly loved it. Something about the adrenaline, something about just showing up to these people's like worse day, like being able to help. But overall it's a really rewarding thing and honestly, part of that adrenaline I can apply on the golf course, for sure.

Q. So would you say that that experience helps you when you're out here?

SIDNEY YERMISH: Definitely. Two very different experiences that can be applied to each other, for sure. Yeah, no, I love fire fighting.