U.S. SENIOR WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

October 4, 2023

Sarah Gallagher

Troon Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. That was some match.

SARAH GALLAGHER: Yes, it was.

Q. What was it like from your perspective?

SARAH GALLAGHER: I knew that she was going to be super tough. I know that she's super steady and she makes just a lot of -- she can get up and down from anywhere.

So any time maybe I felt like she was in a bunker I just knew that she was going to make a par and that I just had to be very steady and stay on top of it.

I was trying to just be patient and hopefully have a putt go in eventually, and one finally did.

Q. That was a lot of pars in a row.

SARAH GALLAGHER: Yeah, it was a lot of pars.

Q. Tell me about the last hole, the extra hole.

SARAH GALLAGHER: So we were kind of in between yardages or clubs a little bit, and I just -- I don't even know. I just hit -- had a great target line and hit a really great shot.

It hit a little bit further than it probably should have gone normal, so it was...

Q. You were pumped up.

SARAH GALLAGHER: Yeah. Ended up being pretty good.

Q. And the putt?

SARAH GALLAGHER: So the putt, I think it was like four feet maybe, and there was a little spot about six inches in front of my ball and it was right on my line and I'm like, I can make a six inch putt.

Q. And she gave hers a good run.

SARAH GALLAGHER: She did give hers a good run. She sure did.

Q. So your goals coming in, I assume, like most people, make it to match play, but make it to the finals?

SARAH GALLAGHER: My goal was take it one day at a time, one shot at a time. I'm incredibly thankful to have one my best buds caddieing for me. She's been a huge help.

Q. And you know your opponent tomorrow.

SARAH GALLAGHER: I do, yeah. It's going to be a challenge.

Q. How well?

SARAH GALLAGHER: Pretty well. She's a hell of a player, so it's going to be a great day. We're going to have a lot of fun.

Q. You've already got some exemptions. Senior Women's Open.

SARAH GALLAGHER: I guess -- I do? Okay.

Q. Senior Women's Amateur, Mid-Am.

SARAH GALLAGHER: I didn't really know that, to be honest.

Q. That's the icing on the cake right now.

SARAH GALLAGHER: It sure is.

Q. This week, I mean, you've won every match obviously. Was there any one key to anything?

SARAH GALLAGHER: Gosh, I don't know. I putted really well and hit it really well. So I cannot express enough how important it's been to have Erin on the bag. We play very similarly so we can talk through things. She's an incredible green reader so I know when we're talking through it, I know I can just get that confidence over the putt.

So it's been huge.

Q. What's the plan for the rest of tonight?

SARAH GALLAGHER: I'm going to go have a martini. (Laughter) and something to eat, and then I'm going to go to bed. (Laughter.)

Q. Yeah. And you know your opponent, you know the course now.

SARAH GALLAGHER: Yeah.

Q. You played I think it's seven rounds on this course now. What's your take on the course itself?

SARAH GALLAGHER: The course is incredible. It's in -- it's perfect. Greens are perfect. I think it's pretty scorable. Like midday I feel like it plays kind of -- I don't want to say the easiest, but the distances kind of get a lot shorter.

So I think it's just going to be patient and just take one shot at a time.

Q. Do you have patience left after today's match?

SARAH GALLAGHER: I have lots of patience. I have a 17 year old and a 15 year old. There is patience through the roof right now.

Q. What grade do you teach?

SARAH GALLAGHER: I don't teach anymore.

Q. Okay.

SARAH GALLAGHER: Yeah, so I'm a certified financial planner, and I did that prior to teaching. A couple years ago I went back into doing what I do now, so I'm a senior lead planner.

Q. So no class of kids waiting.

SARAH GALLAGHER: No kids waiting for me.

Q. Two at home is enough.

SARAH GALLAGHER: I got to go in and fix that. I didn't even think that.

Q. I'm glad I asked.

SARAH GALLAGHER: Yeah.

Q. Have you gone this far in any USGA Championship?

SARAH GALLAGHER: No. I'm trying to remember -- in an Am, it was so long ago. Shame on me for not remembering. I think it was the round of 32 that I lost. May have been the round of 16. I wouldn't say 16, but I don't think that's right. I think it's 32.

Q. Does it help playing someone you know in a final?

SARAH GALLAGHER: You know, I don't know. I have no -- I don't know.

Q. You'll find out tomorrow.

SARAH GALLAGHER: We'll find out tomorrow, that's right.