THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

June 18, 2025

Connor Graham

Quick Quotes

Q. Hard-fought victory in the first round here of the match play at the Amateur Championship. Connor, tell us how you got it done on those extra holes.

CONNOR GRAHAM: Yeah, it was a very stressful round out there. It was pretty tight the whole way, and then 1-up with one to go and lost that one so it went to extra holes, and thankfully I birdied the third extra hole to win it.

Q. Did you feel any extra pressure given that you were the medalist heading into the day?

CONNOR GRAHAM: I didn't feel too much extra pressure, but I knew he was going to come out and try and beat me, so I needed to kind of bring some good golf.

Q. Were there any learnings from your experience last year in this same position as you attacked the first round of the match play this year?

CONNOR GRAHAM: Nothing too major, just knowing I can go out there knowing I'm playing good golf and I can beat anyone on my day.

Q. What was the key for your game out there? In the end you obviously got the victory in extra holes, but was there a moment in the match where you felt like you clicked into gear?

CONNOR GRAHAM: Kind of on the back nine. I won 10 and then started to play a lot of good golf, gave myself a lot of chances but just didn't kind of make the putts to make up for it. But there was definitely a lot of good golf in there on that back nine.

Q. How about your opponent? Did you know much about him prior to today?

CONNOR GRAHAM: No, first time playing with him.

Q. Obviously he had extra holes this morning. Did you think that played into your advantage or his given that he had already played the playoff hole this morning?

CONNOR GRAHAM: I don't think there was too much of an advantage for anyone. It was just more who could get the job done and win it.

Q. How do you recover or reset ahead of the next round tomorrow?

CONNOR GRAHAM: Just try and do not much. I'll just try and relax, put the feet up and just kind of relax before tomorrow's round.

Q. Obviously the Amateur Championship is one of the premier amateur events in the world. What would it mean for you to be successful coming into the week?

CONNOR GRAHAM: It would mean a lot. It is such a big event, and I always look forward to this event coming here every year, so it would definitely be a bonus having a good week.