AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

March 28, 2023

Rachel Kuehn

Quick Quotes

Q. What's the state of your game and how confident are you returning here?

RACHEL KUEHN: Yeah, I've definitely been working hard on it, working hard with my coach and college coaches as well to get into shape. This is one of those challenging golf courses that every aspect needs to be in the best shape and you need to be firing on all cylinders.

It's a good test of golf, and hopefully my game will shape up to it.

Q. Do you think that Champions Retreat is a little bit overshadowed by Augusta National in this event, how challenging a golf course it is?

RACHEL KUEHN: Yeah, I think they're both very different golf courses, so you can't quite get ahead of yourself and think about Augusta National because you have two hard rounds of golf in front of and you it's one of the hardest cuts to make in amateur golf for sure.

Can't get ahead yourself. I definitely think they complement each other well. They're very different, but they require precision in all parts of your golf game.

Q. You had a good finish last year. What were your expectations for this year?

RACHEL KUEHN: Yeah, I think every golf tournament you have expectations. You want to go in thinking you can win, but I'm going to go out and hopefully just enjoy my round of golf and put up the best number I can.

I've seen the golf course play really tough the past couple of years, so I'm really hoping that if I can go post a good number and maybe take a little bit of pressure off the second round would be really nice.

Yeah, I guess that's the goal.

Q. You have experience playing here. A few years. Do you see that as an advantage, and is that an advantage from knowing the course and the other engagements off the course?

RACHEL KUEHN: Absolutely. It's the biggest stage for Women's Amateur golf. There is a lot that goes along with this event. A lot of media, a lot of dinners, a lot of friendships at that come from it too.

And you see a lot of people that you might not otherwise see. There is a lot of hype leading up, and well deserved. But when it comes down to it, I think the past couple years have really helped me get to know this golf course, and there is a lot of knowledge of particularly the approach shots into the greens and your strategy, knowing how tough it's going to play.

Maybe erring a little more on the conservative side than another golf course. I think that's definitely going to help the girls that have been here a couple years.

Q. What would it mean to win this event?

RACHEL KUEHN: Oh, my gosh. I haven't even thought this far ahead. It would be incredible. This event, I know it's only been here for a couple of years, but the precedent that Augusta National has set and the reputation this tournament has in the first couple years, it's prestigious and one of the best in the world.

To add my name to a little piece of history would be incredible.