U.S. WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

August 8, 2024

Maria Jose Marin

Southern Hills Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Let's start with that bunker shot on 18. Just talk us through it.

MARIA JOSE MARIN: When we got to the bunker, as I said, I just prayed that the ball was not against the grass because I knew if I was against the grass, I was done.

When I saw that it was fine, I knew I still had a chance, and with Maisie on the first floor, I knew I had to go for it and just tried to keep it on the second floor and maybe had a good chance for par. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that ball was going to be less than a foot or maybe lipped out to a foot. It was amazing.

Q. How would you describe the emotions and just that match, the back and forth of the match?

MARIA JOSE MARIN: I can say that it was an emotional roller coaster because I was on the back nine, I was 3-down going into 10, and that kind of punches you right in the face and keeps your emotions very low. But I was not doing good. I was not hitting really solid. I had a great birdie on 10 and I knew I still had a good chance because on the back nine I think they're the hardest holes and anything can happen.

Then I tried to tie as many holes as I could, obviously with not a lot of good shots but still tied, and I think those key moments were the par-5s, those birdies, and of course I didn't do -- wow, on 15. But 17 and 18 were clutch. That's all I can say.

Q. You made a semifinal round at the Girls' Junior a couple years ago, but what does it mean to you to be at the Women's Am and in the quarterfinals as the medalist?

MARIA JOSE MARIN: I can say that it means a lot. Of course I remember being in the semifinals with the U.S. Junior. It felt amazing. I felt that my game was so good. All my family was very happen, even though I didn't make the finals. I was super happy because that year I had no expectations of making the semifinals.

I can say coming here this is my first time playing U.S. Am, and I just had the expectations of making the cut, and with being medalist of course you have lots of pressure, but I just tried to play my golf, and it was enough to make it.

Q. Your coach mentioned a couple of the big up-and-downs you had. Obviously 18 is one. But what were a few of the others that you'd say?

MARIA JOSE MARIN: I think I can say -- I think the back nine up-and-downs were the key up-and-downs that I knew I had to make to, as I said, have a chance. On the front nine --

Q. 6 maybe?

MARIA JOSE MARIN: Oh, the par-3. That was another really good one. I was in the morning in that same spot, so I kind of knew where that ball was going, and I tried to do a replica of the shot, just a little more left. It was really good, too.

Q. You came in in pretty good form. You just won a tournament back in Colombia by 18 shots; is that right?

MARIA JOSE MARIN: Yes, yes.

Q. You say you just wanted to make the cut, but realistically did you feel as if you had an opportunity to come here and make a run like you have been?

MARIA JOSE MARIN: When I say that I came here to make the cut, it's because first, I know I'm playing against the best 150 players in the world, and second, we're playing on a top golf course that if you hit a bad shot, it's going to cost you a lot -- can cost you a bogey, can cost you a double bogey. I knew I had to play really good golf.

In Colombia I played really good. We played a really hard course, too, but this is something different. This is not something that you see every day. That's why I say that.

But I felt really good with my game, and after the first round I knew I had the chance to be a top 5, and I was medalist.

Q. You and teammate Kendall Todd, she advanced to the quarterfinals, as well. What is it about a couple of Razorbacks that are making a deep run? Is it because you guys are only a couple hours from home?

MARIA JOSE MARIN: Yes, it feels great to be competing with my teammates, and obviously with Kenny in the quarterfinals, too, it means a lot, and it means that we have a great team for next season. We can do lots of big things. I just wish her luck because I love her with my entire heart and hope if we have to see each other in the semifinals or even if we make it to the finals, so it be.