U.S JUNIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

July 30, 2023

Bryan Kim

Daniel Island Club (Ralston Creek Course)

Quick Quotes

Q. You're a USGA champion. Put into words what that means.

BRYAN KIM: It really hasn't sunk in yet. Especially coming into this week, I hadn't made a cut at a USGA event, but to not only make the cut but win all six of my matches, especially against all these great competitors, it just means the world.

The feeling still hasn't sunk in yet.

Q. Your name is going to be on the trophy now with Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Johnny Miller, Scottie Scheffler. What does that mean?

BRYAN KIM: Like I said before, it's a huge stepping-stone. Just to have my name like right next to those guys, those big guys, it just means if they can do it, I can do it. I'm right on track, so I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully I'll get there one day.

Q. Pinehurst No. 2 next year, U.S. Open. How does that feel?

BRYAN KIM: Yeah, I kind of forgot about that until he told me. I'm super excited. I really want to -- I played sectionals this year and I've played U.S. Open locals every year, but just to go straight there next year, I'm super excited, especially my first professional event. Couldn't ask for anything better.

Q. The birdie you made to go 1-up, how crucial was that? Did you feel like you needed to do something?

BRYAN KIM: I felt that Josh would make a birdie just because we're all playing so well, so I felt like I needed to make a birdie, as well.

I had a pretty good number. I just really comfortable with those shots all week, those little knock-down wedges. Just hit three good shots, and that's what you need to do to make a birdie. Felt really good.

Q. Take me through 18.

BRYAN KIM: Right, so I hit a pretty good drive, it kind of stayed a little right in the rough, but I knew it was going to be a three-shot hole today, so I gave myself a good yardage, and I saw Josh -- hit it a little right on his second shot, so I thought, I just need to focus on what I'm doing, try to make birdie, because anything can happen, especially in match play.

Hit a good shot, hit three good shots, and that's what I needed to do.

Q. On the 12th hole, it seemed like you kind of got a little bit of a break, the ball staying, and then you ended up winning the hole. Was that a big momentum swing for you?

BRYAN KIM: Yeah, for sure. That happens in match play. You never have the upper hand on a hole until it's over, so you've just got to stay in it. That wind kind of took the ball a little bit to the right. I thought I hit a pretty good one, but I looked up and it was heading a little right which got me a little nervous because I made a quad on that hole earlier this week in stroke play.

I got a little flashback.

But once I saw it stayed up, I thought, it's very chip-in-able.

Q. Going back to 17 quick, the one you won there with the birdie, that approach shot, what was the yardage and the club you used?

BRYAN KIM: It was 115, I think, and it was into the wind. There's some good breeze up there today. Had a little mud on the ball, so I felt like it would knock it down a little bit, so I played it 125, hit a flighted gap wedge just long, had about an eight-footer. Felt really good about that putt.

Q. Last night when they called it for the night, were you relieved it was called for the day?

BRYAN KIM: I wished we could have kept playing. I felt like I had the momentum. I was playing some good golf. But I felt even today, this morning, nothing has changed, so just got to stay in the moment.

Q. Was it difficult to come back this morning?

BRYAN KIM: Not really. We got a good dinner up in the clubhouse last night and these past few days Daniel Island has been really nice. They've treated us so good with the food and the hospitality. Had a good breakfast this morning, so felt pretty good.

Q. What did you get for dinner?

BRYAN KIM: I had a filet, six-ounce, with a side of loaded mashed potatoes.

Q. When do you start school?

BRYAN KIM: I start August 18, but depending on how far I make it at the U.S. Am, might have to delay a little bit.

Q. Talk about the fight in Josh just this entire match compared to some of the other matches you played?

BRYAN KIM: He's such a fierce competitor. I knew he was going to give me a really big fight. I felt like I had to keep up with him, especially early on. He went on a few big runs throughout the match. I felt like I'm just as good, and if I do what I do, it'll be a great match.

Q. Talk about what the week has been like with your caddie, how special it's been.

BRYAN KIM: It's been amazing. When I first started golf at Argyle Country Club in 2016, Justin was the assistant pro there, so I've known him ever since I started golf, so he's been there from the start. He's helped me a few times with my fitness stuff, giving me workouts and stuff like that, and he came down from Charleston to start his own business. I knew he was here, hit him up, and he's been really good this week.