U.S JUNIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

July 25, 2024

Matthew Diehl

Oakland Hills Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. How you feeling after that big win?

MATTHEW DIEHL: I mean, Luke is a great player. I love that guy. Played with him three, four times now. Just he put up a great fight. I made some key putts going through the back nine, and just kept hitting greens, sticking to the plan, and luckily it worked out for me.

Q. What were a couple of those putts on the back? Which holes?

MATTHEW DIEHL: Well, to win on 17, I was up against the collar and I really only hit it like five feet. Then I had probably eight-footer. I buried it. I mean, my caddie Eli, he is giving me super good reads. I want to give him props for that.

Q. Is Eli a buddy from home?

MATTHEW DIEHL: Yeah, also a great golfer. I'm not going to shame anything for him. I mean, I just hope I can keep this going tomorrow.

Q. Yeah. How long have you guys known each other?

MATTHEW DIEHL: Oh, his first tournament ever I played with him --

ELI: 11 years ago.

MATTHEW DIEHL: So, yeah, I guess 11 years.

Q. How does it feel to be on to the quarters? First USGA?

MATTHEW DIEHL: It is, yeah.

Q. How does it feel to be advancing this far?

MATTHEW DIEHL: I mean, couldn't be happier. Honestly, if you told me I would be in the top eight, probably say you were lying, especially if I had to go up against Luke. I mean, he's seriously such a good player.

Q. You mentioned some of the big putts you made. What else in your game was working out there? Hitting a lot of fairways?

MATTHEW DIEHL: I would say I was hitting a decent amount of fairways. My driver is very trusting this week, which is helping me a lot I think.

And, again, just got to keep doing it tomorrow if I want to win. Fairways are key here. Just when you're in the rough, got to just try your best to make par. Pars will win holes for sure.

Q. You have got four or five rounds on the South Course. What do you think of the place?

MATTHEW DIEHL: Dude, couldn't be more pure. The crew here, they're obviously doing a perfect job. I mean, the greens just -- I don't think I've every played more pure greens than these. I mean, the tee boxes are better than my greens back at home, so that's how you know it's pure.

Q. Looks like you got Tyler Watts tomorrow. Play with Tyler much?

MATTHEW DIEHL: No. I haven't played with him, but, I mean, talked to him at lunch in there. I know he's a super good player, so I'm excited for tomorrow.