THE WALKER CUP

September 2, 2023

Calum Scott

Connor Graham

Quick Quotes

Q. Calum, how pleased are you with that fantastic win?

CALUM SCOTT: Yeah, very pleased. We didn't know what to expect going into this round, but Connor at 16 years old held himself really well for something of this caliber with these top players, and couldn't be happier for him. He played incredible.

We both played really well. We judged it perfectly with tee shots and wedges. We knew he was going to have more wedges into greens. We knew that was the best part of his game. I was good with the putter. The flat stick was working today. Overall it was really good, yeah.

Q. How were the crowds out there?

CALUM SCOTT: Oh, it was amazing. The home support has just been absolutely incredible. There's absolutely an advantage over the Americans, and I think when you hit that good shot it just motivates you and pumps you up a little bit more and makes you want to hit even better shots.

It's been incredible so far. Couldn't be happier.

Q. Did you see and hear the Nairn posse supporting?

CALUM SCOTT: You know, I can hear them all and I can see them with the hats. They've got yellow hats on to signify who they are, and they've got Team Cal on the back of the hats. It's really cool to have the home support. Incredible.

Q. Connor, the youngest player in Walker Cup history. You handled that well. How good was that?

CONNOR GRAHAM: Yeah, it was a great experience. It was quite nerve-racking at the start of the round, but kind of got in a flow and tried to play some good golf.

Q. What was the key to that success?

CONNOR GRAHAM: It was just keeping it out of trouble really. We just kind of plotted our way around, just kept the ball out of trouble and tried to make as many putts as we could.

Q. Were you as nervous as you thought you would be, given the size of the crowds out here?

CONNOR GRAHAM: Yeah, definitely. It was definitely nerve-racking the first few holes.

Q. You weren't in any trouble at all really, were you?

CALUM SCOTT: No, not really. We've played this course a whole bunch. Being from Scotland, we know what it's like around here. We've played numerous, probably 10, 15 times around here in competition style, so we know what it's like, and we know where to hit the tee shots, the best lines and flags. That's just an advantage, and that's what we get for playing in Scotland, so yeah.

Q. Even with no wind out there, as well? It's obviously flat calm.

CALUM SCOTT: We never really want horrendous weather obviously, but it's obviously an advantage if you can control a ball with the wind, but we know how to play in no wind, as well. We've got a half decent summer here, so we know exactly how to hit the ball when there's no wind.

Q. What was the best shot you hit, Connor?

CONNOR GRAHAM: That one on 15 was amazing. Just kind of the timing of it.

Q. What did you do on 15?

CONNOR GRAHAM: I had 140 pin. I hit it like 10 feet left of the pin. I had a downhill right-to-left slider. We holed that, and that was it really. The momentum shifted and we were 2-up, and they got one back and then they were just first on the tee every time hitting fairways and greens, and we just couldn't get something going until the 15th where he hit it in close after he hit it in pretty tight from where he was, and then I rolled in the putt and then they hit a tee shot OB, and that was it.

Q. Connor, I read a story at the start of the year where your main goal was to make the Junior Ryder Cup team. Now six months later you're not only playing a Walker Cup but you just went out and got the first point for GB&I. Can you sum up maybe how surprising this has all been to you?

CONNOR GRAHAM: Yeah, it's definitely quite surprising being able to make a Walker Cup at such a young age, and it's just been such a cool experience being here at the Home of Golf and the home fans. It's just been an incredible experience.

Q. I saw a video where it said that you're the pickiest eater on the team. What's your favourite food?

CONNOR GRAHAM: Can't complain with some burger and pizza, yeah. It's perfect.

Q. If you guys win on Sunday, you'll have to celebrate with some burgers --

CONNOR GRAHAM: And with Domino's pizza from the town.

Q. Obviously family out there as well this morning?

CALUM SCOTT: Exactly. It's great to see my family out here with the Nairn folks. It's cool to see everyone here and supporting. It just makes that big difference going into those final holes.