AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

April 1, 2025

Catie Craig

Quick Quotes

Q. You had one of your first tastes of the course today.

CATIE CRAIG: It was absolutely wonderful out there today. Great conditions. The greens were super fast. I've probably never played this quick a greens before. But I just love the setup, and the dogleg rights being left-handed is really good for my eye, so I can't wait for tomorrow.

Q. Did you have any preconceived notions coming into this practice round? Have you talked to anybody that's familiar with the course before?

CATIE CRAIG: I played here about two weeks ago with the caddie that I just had today, so I was able to get out here a little early and make a good game plan. I guess my preconceived notions were based off of a couple of weeks ago, so yeah.

Q. Tell me what you're feeling just being out here.

CATIE CRAIG: Oh, it's unbelievable. I can't believe I'm here. I've been waiting to come here for the past two years almost, and the time has finally come. It's just so surreal.

Q. How do you plan on planning enjoying the moment and trying to stay in a competitive lane?

CATIE CRAIG: Typically in between shots I like to distract myself, so I'm going to distract myself by just looking at the beautiful serene surroundings and then just off of the golf course I can really take in the moment that I'm finally here.

Q. Is it hard the next few days not looking forward to Friday and Saturday?

CATIE CRAIG: Oh, yeah, that's always in the back of my mind, but we have to conquer Champions first, so that's the goal, to do as well as possible out here and then make it to Augusta.

Q. I know you're a Georgia native, so curious, Augusta National for you, a hometown gal, what does that mean to you and what does it mean to you to be playing in this tournament?

CATIE CRAIG: Oh, it means everything to represent the state of Georgia. I moved here when I was 13, so I haven't grown up here, but it does feel like home a lot. With the GSGA, I know they're out here, too. Just that part being out here, and with all my family members who are close by able to travel down, it's really special.

Q. Who do you have cheering you on this weekend?

CATIE CRAIG: I have my mom, dad, my neighbors, my grandpa, my sister, my boyfriend, his dad, and then funny enough, my hairdresser.

Q. What's kind of the chatter amongst your friends and family about this weekend, about being here?

CATIE CRAIG: Oh, they're just so happy to celebrate with me and to support. I'm very grateful they're here.

Q. Where are you from in Georgia?

CATIE CRAIG: Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia. Can you say that? Do you know where Helen is? Two miles east.

Q. You're probably familiar with a lot of changes in elevation --

CATIE CRAIG: Oh, yes, the bluff side is like nothing compared to my home course. I'm pretty used to some elevation change.

Q. You said that you've been trying to be here for like two years now. What was it like being able to accomplish that and be here?

CATIE CRAIG: Oh, it just shows that I'm finally good enough. I've always had an issue with that, like knowing can I do it. So the past two years when I got a little bit better each year, I realized this is a goal I can accomplish, and to accomplish a goal this big, it's really not for not just my confidence but to inspire my teammates at Western Kentucky and anybody around me.

Q. When you entered Western Kentucky, was this always a goal of yours, to make it here?

CATIE CRAIG: Not until my junior year really. I'm a senior now. Freshman year I would never think I could get close to getting here.

Q. Are you the first representative from Western Kentucky?

CATIE CRAIG: I am, yes.

Q. What does that mean to you school and to your coach and to the Western Kentucky community?

CATIE CRAIG: Yeah, for sure. To represent them means a lot, and all the support -- they just believe in me so much, and I think that support from them helps me to just accelerate my career.