U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

August 16, 2023

Nick Gabrelcik

Cherry Hills Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Tough opponent first round. What was that like?

NICK GABRELCIK: It was difficult. It's always difficult playing match play in the U.S. Amateur, no matter who you're playing. If you make match play, you're obviously playing well enough to keep winning matches.

The goal today was just to try and not give away too many shots, and I didn't do that great on the front nine. I got myself down early, and I was 2-down through 9. But I just stuck to what I know I can do going to the back nine and ended up rattling off three holes in a row, four holes in a row, and gave one back on 16 by three-putting, but hit a really good drive on 17, had just a little wedge in and made birdie.

Q. How long was the putt on 17?

NICK GABRELCIK: About 25 feet.

Q. Tell us about that stretch where you won four holes in a row. What did you do well, and they have you listed as a birdie on 10 and 13. Tell us about those two holes.

NICK GABRELCIK: I chipped in on 9 from just left of the green and thought I was going to get one back, but Jackson made a great putt. Even though I tied the hole, I just took that confidence going into the back nine, and hit a good wedge shot on 10 to about 12 feet, rolled it in, and I just started feeling more comfortable.

He made a bogey on 16, and I got up-and-down on 11, I got up-and-down for par.

Then No. 12, hit a good iron shot to about 15 feet past, and he went long in the rough. Got that one.

Then on 13, hit a really good wedge to about a foot, and he just gave it to me.

Q. When you're in these situations where you're down, does having that experience help you get through these moments?

NICK GABRELCIK: Definitely. Just knowing that I've been in this position before, I've been down in matches, I've come back, I've also won matches handily, it's just all the experiences I have to take with me into each and every match and just rely on how I know I can play and that I'm capable of coming out here and hopefully winning the U.S. Am but hopefully surviving and advancing.

Q. Tell us about Cherry Hills as a match play course. How tough is that rough?

NICK GABRELCIK: It's brutal. It's probably one of the best match play courses I've ever played. Oakmont is still my favorite. But if you hit fairways, you're going to do really well, and if you're not driving it straight, you're going to be in for a long -- maybe not long day. You might lose early. It's just coming out here and just hitting fairways and greens. The rough is just nasty. Half the time you can't even advance it more than 50 yards.

Q. Obviously you're being considered for the Walker Cup. How much does that weigh on your mind this week?

NICK GABRELCIK: It's obviously on my mind. It's been on my mind for about seven months now just when I gotta nounsed at the practice session. I just have to rely on how I play, and hopefully I get selected for the team because it's obviously my main goal right now, and I hope I impress the captain and the committee, but I'm trying not to think about it too much.

Q. What would it mean to you if you're selected?

NICK GABRELCIK: It would mean the world. I've played in three Palmer Cups, and just being able to represent the U.S. over on their soil at the home of golf, it would just be the coolest experience I think I'll ever have in my life, regardless of where golf takes me or where I'll end up in life. It will be something I'll remember for the rest of my life.