THE WALKER CUP

September 2, 2023

Matt McClean

John Gough

Quick Quotes

Q. Is the word "relief" at the end of that?

MATT McCLEAN: Yeah, that was a fantastic match. I think early doors, it was a little ropey for us, but since then we played fantastic golf. It's tough to see your opponents finish like that on the last hole, but obviously in the nicest way possible, we're delighted to get a point.

Q. It was nip and tuck, the birdie on 16, you enjoyed that with a fist bump. How important was it?

JOHN GOUGH: I think coming down the closing stretch there when you have the three holes, they're never easy, but with that, obviously delighted to get that in the hole and obviously credit to Matt's wedge shot into the green there.

Q. 17, did you think they'd get up-and-down?

JOHN GOUGH: I think you have to expect them to. You have to expect them to do everything. Their short games are great. Their games are great. That's why they're here. But yeah.

Q. You guys (indiscernible) quite nicely?

MATT McCLEAN: Yeah, we played well. We got off to a bit of a flat start, got pretty unlucky on 2 and lost the hole and then didn't really do anything wrong on the way in there. Yeah, we both played good. Holed a couple putts between us, a couple putts at the right time, we managed to hole, and that was probably the difference in the end.

Q. Matt, tell us what it was like with the crowds, the sunshine, just the atmosphere?

MATT McCLEAN: Yeah, it was unbelievable. It's probably as good a day as you'll have on any golf course anywhere. Me and John didn't decide who was going to hit the first tee shot until half an hour before the tee time just because I didn't want to sleep on it. It was a bit nerve-racking but it was fun.

JOHN GOUGH: We said to ourselves going down 16, we're like, there's not many times you get a view like this with all the people because obviously the earlier matches finished, and we said, it was like, this is pretty special walking down here, isn't it.

Q. Some noise when you got your putt on 16 as well?

JOHN GOUGH: Yeah, I know. I think that's mainly the Irish contingency there coming over and giving us --

MATT McCLEAN: Yeah, John is the Irish one --

JOHN GOUGH: But yeah, it was great putt to make the match.

Q. Were you conscious of the Scottish boys in front of you who won?

MATT McCLEAN: We seen them holing putts there on 10 and then we seen the scoreboard, I think, around 11, so I was delighted for them. I think Connor given it a few good fist bumps. Just know that I wouldn't want to be playing a 16 year old when he gets hot. That's my thoughts on it.

Q. We've talked all week about you playing in this for the first time but with a bit of experience. Was it everything it was cracked up to be for you out there today?

MATT McCLEAN: And more. I think the crowd, the golf course is the best I've ever played it at the minute, the weather. The weather has been better than I think I've ever had it here, as well. Yeah, it's all that I've thought of and more really.

Q. You'd say the same, Matt, would you?

MATT McCLEAN: Yeah, can't have any complaints. As I said, the course is in pristine condition, the weather is perfect, and we obviously both played well and managed to get a point. Yeah, couldn't really go any better so far today, and obviously we're both focused to go out and play the same this afternoon and try to get two.