THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

June 20, 2024

Luke Sample

Quick Quotes

Q. Luke, congratulations, through to the quarterfinals at The Amateur Championship. You must be happy with your performance so far?

LUKE SAMPLE: Yeah, it was a long day today, and it wasn't easy to get to this point. I fought hard, and a round of 64, honestly I fought harder at the end of the stroke-play qualifying. It wasn't a guarantee that I was going through but had a hard-fought match yesterday. Played really great this morning, and played really good golf against Connor Gough and played great in the afternoon as well. So just the course is awesome. The course is difficult. But it's a really fun place to play.

Q. Your first time competing in The Amateur Championship and you just touched on the course. What are your thoughts on links golf?

LUKE SAMPLE: Well, it's unlike anything I've ever played. I've never played a proper links golf course, especially over here in Ireland. It's just a special, special place and I'm looking forward to playing some more.

Q. Have you had to adapt the way you play to suit the conditions and to suit the kinds of -- the putting surfaces, and etc.? It's all very different to America.

LUKE SAMPLE: Yeah, it's very different but I think for me, my strengths still kind of shine through. You have to hit it well out here, and I trust myself as a ball-striker and gaining more confidence with my short game.

So definitely had to hit a few shots that were a little different, especially with the wind and the conditions this week. Hitting clubs that I wouldn't normally hit from various distances but I think I adapt well to a lot of things, and this was just another reason.

Q. What motivated you to come out and compete in The Amateur?

LUKE SAMPLE: It was always an event that I would see it online and see it on social media. Just knowing how big of a deal this tournament is and how long it's been played and the history behind it. I wasn't able to do it in the past, and this summer, you kind of carved out some time to come over here and I was fortunate enough to be able to do so.

I'm just really enjoying every moment.

Q. So far you've made your trip worthwhile. Is match play a format that you really enjoy?

LUKE SAMPLE: Yeah, I've played a ton of match play, especially in events around New York. I've got a lot of experience in match play, and I think it's the most fun way to play golf. And it's a format where I think I excel and we'll see if we can keep that going.

Q. Still a long way to go but is it hard not to start dreaming about what if you become The Amateur Champion? There's obviously a lot on offer.

LUKE SAMPLE: Yeah, it's hard not to get ahead of yourself but my caddie, Patrick, who has become a great friend this week who I met last week over here in Ireland, he's just really kept me in it and present all week. Just reminding me what the task at hand is on every shot, and you know, as much as I want to get ahead of myself, he's been really good at kind of keeping me in check and I think we've been a good team.

Q. Patrick, is he a local caddie? Is Ballyliffin his course?

LUKE SAMPLE: He is at Rosapenna about an hour away. I met him over there when I came about three days early to play a couple rounds of golf, and I asked him if he wanted to stick with me for a few more rounds, and it's turned into more than a few rounds.

So it's been nice getting to know him and he's been a big part of this week.