U.S. GIRLS' JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

July 18, 2024

Gianna Clemente

El Caballero Country Club

Press Conference

Q. Not sure if you realize this, but you were 10-under on the last 21 holes today.

GIANNA CLEMENTE: That's a good stat.

Q. Yeah. What did you do at the 10th tee after down 3-down in the morning? Put the on a cape or something?

GIANNA CLEMENTE: I guess when you're that far down you just go into fight or flight. You know you have to start making some birdies. It's kind of like a reflex.

Yeah, I mean, I just hit a really good iron shot on 10 this morning and I just kind of got things going.

And then got things going right from the start of this afternoon's match.

Q. Yeah, I would say so. Five out of the first six birdies. Were they all darts?

GIANNA CLEMENTE: Yeah. Yeah, I think two or three of them were gimmes; the other ones were inside ten feet.

Q. I saw the one on 9.

GIANNA CLEMENTE: Yeah, so just the ball striking has been really good. I got a couple short putts to drop for birdies as well. The gimme birdies are always good.

Q. Was there a little bit of a factor that you played her last week? A little insight? Avenge the loss?

GIANNA CLEMENTE: Yeah, for sure. I mean, I want to beat every single player in match play that I play. It's a completely different course and completely different week so tried to put that behind me.

Q. Obviously 3-down. How much did that experience play in that comeback? You're playing a girl this morning who is a little younger, doesn't have quite the match play experience or USGA experience that you do.

GIANNA CLEMENTE: Yeah, a lot. I think everything in match play can relate back to experience almost.

It's just really nice to have the match play record that I do and have the experience. Yeah, just in the moment you just got to make birdies.

Q. Back in the quarterfinals, back in a familiar spot. How do you put today behind you and all the birdies that you made and get ready for basically starting from ground zero tomorrow?

GIANNA CLEMENTE: Yeah, just reminding myself tomorrow is a new day and anything can happen tomorrow. Very proud to have made it this far. I made it this far a few times.

Q. Three times now.

GIANNA CLEMENTE: Yeah, it's an accomplishment to make it this far, especially in match play. So just starting fresh tomorrow and see what it brings.

Q. National team members are doing pretty well, too.

GIANNA CLEMENTE: Yeah.

Q. Two of them playing and Shiloh (ph) is ahead.

GIANNA CLEMENTE: Yeah, that's great to see.

Q. I guess there is a group chat going.

GIANNA CLEMENTE: Yeah, we do have a group chat. We're always really supportive of each other and all really good friends. Yeah, I'm glad to see them doing well.

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