U.S. SENIOR WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

September 25, 2024

Nadene Gole

Broadmoor Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Oh, my gosh, what a match there. You were up at the turn, and then Brenda battled back. How were you able to hang on? We'll get to that shot at 18 in a second, but just the match overall.

NADENE GOLE: Look, I played really solidly the first nine holes. I had a couple three-putts, and I probably should have been further up. But unfortunately on the back nine I had a couple three-putts, and it was sort of a bit of, you know, maybe I let her in.

But I will say she played the last six holes exceptionally well, holed some amazing putts. Great player. I feel very privileged to have played with her, and then to have Sarah caddieing for her as well, who I played last year in the quarters.

It's just one of those things. It's match play, isn't it? Sometimes you hole them, and sometimes you do what I just did on the last hole.

Q. Let's talk about that. Brenda birdies 17. You make a pretty clutch up-and-down on 18, when she had a pretty good look. Could have ended right then. Then we get to the final hole. Could you talk about that? Your drive ended up on the hill. How far did you have? I'll just tell the person that's transcribing this, the ball ended up 12 inches from the hole for a kick-in birdie to win. Talk us through the second shot there, what you were thinking, how far?

NADENE GOLE: In terms of yards, I had about 130 yards. So it was 118 meters, and I'd had 122 nine holes ago. I hit an 8-iron in there, but it pulled up really quickly. So he just said to me, I think you need the 7. It's a very hanging lie. So I said, I'll just go straight at it.

So I trusted the 7, because at first I pulled away from it thinking is it the 7? Well, he said the 7, so I hit the 7. I can't see that far.

Sarah says, you've nearly hit it in the hole. I'm like what? I thought it had gone over the back of the green. I walked up to her and said, I'm five years older than you are, I can't see that far. It's dark nearly, isn't it?

Q. It's getting there. Incredible shot. Is that one of the more memorable shots you've ever hit considering the circumstances?

NADENE GOLE: I've had quite a few of those in playoffs. Look, I don't want to say it, but I've had quite a few of those sorts of things in those pressure situations. I don't know why, but they do, they come out --

Look, I just loved the game today. I jut thought it was going to be a tough match, and it certainly was that.

Q. It's obviously your second USGA Championship. You made the quarters, and now you're in the finals. What does it say about your overall game that you're able to step up in these big championships?

NADENE GOLE: Look, it took me a few days to ease into it, even in the first two rounds. Obviously a little bit edgy the first few holes. Today was probably I started better in the first five or six holes. I hadn't been that comfortable, and the weather really played a big part this afternoon. It was pretty horrendous out here.

Q. It was pouring.

NADENE GOLE: It was pouring. And the clubbing was -- you know, like if you got in the rough, good luck.