U.S. MID-AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

September 13, 2023

Sam Jackson

Sleepy Hollow Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Let me ask you about that up-and-down to win there. That wasn't the easiest lie in that grass.

SAM JACKSON: It wasn't. I had to check for a while to see if it was embedded, but it wasn't, luckily. Luckily it was on the up slope, so I really just had to make sure I accelerate and getting it up there. I told myself you're putting it good, so just give yourself -- even if it's a 10-footer, give yourself something and give yourself a chance.

Q. What wedge did you hit from down there?

SAM JACKSON: 60-degree.

Q. It looked like it was about seven feet at least?

SAM JACKSON: Yeah, seven, eight feet, something like that. I actually had that putt for birdie on the exact same line only a longer distance in this morning's match, so I knew kind of what it did, so it helped a lot.

Q. I watched you play a little bit, and it seems like you play fast. Is that the tempo you go to go at?

SAM JACKSON: Yeah, I like to go, go, go. Probably a little too fast at times. But when I'm ready, I like to fire.

Q. Do you think that puts a little pressure on your opponent in match play, that you're moving a little quicker?

SAM JACKSON: Not sure. You'd have to ask them. I just try to do my own thing, stay with my own tempo, and yeah, they can do theirs.

Q. I know that you know your opponent. When you saw the draw and you saw that you were going to face him this afternoon, what were some of the thoughts in your mind?

SAM JACKSON: I mean, the first one was excited. Stephen has accomplished a heck of a lot more in this game than I have. I've played some practice rounds with him, last year and this year in this event. We've played some other practice rounds together throughout the year. I know his game really well, and we grew up playing together throughout junior golf. I knew it wasn't going to be an easy match because I know how good he is, but it was cool. Stephen is a great dude, and I hate to be the one to beat him, but we had fun out there. It was a good match.

Q. You made a little run early in the match to take the lead. How important was that?

SAM JACKSON: It was really important. Especially after making double on No. 1. I gathered myself, birdied 2 and 4 to get it back, and then birdied 6 and lost the hole doing it. I was able to make some birdies after the start, which was nice.

Q. He was able to come back at you a couple of times to tie the match. What do you think the key was down the stretch to get the lead and keep it?

SAM JACKSON: Just staying within myself, honestly. I only probably watched half of the shots he hit into the green today just because I didn't want what he was doing to affect me necessarily. Just tried to do my own thing and see what happens.

Q. Was there one particular shot you thought coming down the stretch other than this up-and-down that was a key moment in this match?

SAM JACKSON: Honestly, birdieing 13 and 14 was big. He made about an eight- to ten-footer on 13. I was in there close, like a couple feet. It was good to knock that in. And I birdied 14, which was nice. I made probably a 10-, 12-footer for birdie.

Q. What did you hit in there and what was your yardage?

SAM JACKSON: I had 135 and I think we hit wedge in there. I think it was wedge. Hit it about 12 feet underneath the hole, and I had that exact same putt earlier, as well. I kind of knew what it did. That was a big step.

Q. Your competitive play has picked up over the last couple years. What's happened to your game the last couple of years?

SAM JACKSON: I honestly couldn't tell you. I got asked that yesterday, and I was like, I don't know. I think it's more mental than anything. I think not to come out here and take it too seriously and put too much pressure on myself. I know a lot of guys out here are probably way more serious about it than I am. I kind of like to cut up during rounds and have fun.

But yeah, I don't know. I've got the taste of some big-time amateur events the last couple years, and it just drives me to keep wanting to get better at home.

Q. To be in the Final Four here, what's that mean to you?

SAM JACKSON: It's awesome. These are the best amateurs in the world. To be able to come out here and hold my own against these guys is big from a confidence standpoint. Whatever happens, win, lose or draw we're going to go have fun and see what happens.