U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

August 16, 2024

Luis Masaveu

Hazeltine National Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. We're here with Luis Masaveu. You just advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Amateur. Could you describe how you're feeling right now.

LUIS MASAVEU: I don't really believe it right now. When I went to the golf course today, I was like I'm playing in the quarterfinals, I have a chance to go to the semifinals. I was not really believing it, but I just kept myself trying to play my game, and that's what I did today.

Q. Jose talked a little bit about your guys' friendship. Kind of take me, what do you remember about you guys first meeting and how close you guys have gotten over the years?

LUIS MASAVEU: Actually, we have a photo that we played in a national event, I think it was under 10 or under 12, and the first day we got paired up. That was the first time.

I remember he was hitting it very long, like now. So, yeah, and then over the years, the last few years in the national team, we've been like good friends. We play European team championship. We won it two times. So that's like a good friendship.

Yeah, we're good friends. We respect ourselves, and it's going to be fun tomorrow.

Q. He kind of went the college route, and you kind of just decided to stay in Europe and play a lot of the amateur. It sounds like you guys have stayed pretty connected to the national team.

LUIS MASAVEU: Yeah, every summer we play the same tournaments, and sometimes we talk to each other. So, yeah, we always talk every year.

Q. How does it feel knowing no matter what happens tomorrow there's going to be a Spaniard in the final?

LUIS MASAVEU: I mean, I feel very happy for Spain. I think they're doing a good job helping us. I mean, it's really good.

Obviously the Americans are really good at golf. They beat us all the time.

Q. Except for the Ryder Cup.

LUIS MASAVEU: It's a good moment that we can have a little bit, like we can beat them a little bit.

Q. What was the turning point in your match today down the stretch? I know you kind of made a couple of mistakes there on 16, but what did you feel like was the turning point when you really took control?

LUIS MASAVEU: I missed two short putts on No. 5 and No. 6, and I was 2-down. I wasn't playing bad, but I was just not getting the right momentum.

Then on 7, I was in the right rough. I hit a really good shot. I hit a good putt, holed it. From there I was just more calm. I started to hit really good shots.

Then in the back nine, like yesterday, I made a really good stretch. On 14, 15, I played them really good. Yeah, I think that was key. 14, it was key to make a birdie, and then 15 I hit a 4-iron, it was like two, three meters.

Q. How did you get started in golf?

LUIS MASAVEU: Like my dad loves it. I was like 1 or 2 with a plastic club. I always loved it. I was in the Garden, and I was hitting like one meter and then going back and one meter and going back.

Q. So you took to it quickly?

LUIS MASAVEU: Yeah, very quickly. I always loved it. When I finished school, I always loved to go to play golf.

Q. What are your plans going forward the next couple of years in terms of professional, amateur? What are your plans?

LUIS MASAVEU: My plan was to finish, to turn pro in October, but plans may change. We'll see. We'll see. I'm just going to play tomorrow, and then I'll see.

Q. Not to foreshadow or look too far ahead, but you are thinking a little bit about what could come if you win tomorrow?

LUIS MASAVEU: Yeah, if I win tomorrow, probably I won't turn pro because obviously playing the Masters, it's like different. I mean, it's a dream. You don't know if you're going to play there.

I played this year a major, and it was amazing, but you never know if you're going to play the Masters again in your life. It's a moment that you have to take it.

Q. Do you have any sort of relationship with some of the Spaniards on Tour, whether it's Sergio or Rahm or any of those guys?

LUIS MASAVEU: I have a really good relationship with Alejandro del Rey. He was on DP World Tour. We sometimes practice together. He's from the same club. He helps me a lot. He's a really good guy.

Q. He played in the U.S. Open at LACC last year. Did he give you any advice coming into a USGA setup?

LUIS MASAVEU: We just play together. We just try to be ourselves. He didn't really tell me anything.