WOMEN'S AMATEUR ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP

February 12, 2026

Elise Barber

Quick Quotes

Q. You just completed your first round of the Women's Amateur Asia Pacific. Tell us how you enjoyed it.

ELISE BARBER: I think the weather was really nice first of all. And it was really hot out there. I think it was really great having a home you crowd supporting me behind my back and on the tree lines.

Just every shot I had it was claps here and there, and it felt like I was really supported by them. Yeah, I found that really great out there.

And just I was able to get tee to green pretty good and able to make a few putts and two putt as well; fast greens.

Q. Yeah. Can you tell us about the experience on the first hole.

ELISE BARBER: No, yeah, every minute that went by before I tee'd off it started getting to me, the nerves.

As my name got called out I definitely -- a lot of things were running through my head thinking, oh, my gosh, it's the first hole. I've got to aim perfectly down the fairway; set myself up for the next shot.

I think I got away really nicely underway which was -- yeah, everyone was clapping, so, yeah, I was really happy about that first shot.

Q. And three birdies out there today. That birdie on the 4th I think it was, the par-5.

ELISE BARBER: Yeah.

Q. Talk to us about that. Did that give you a little bit of confidence?

ELISE BARBER: Yes, that did give me quite a lot of confidence knowing that I could reach some of those par-5s and get to the green and get up and down from approach shots.

I think, yeah, that was crucial, a few of those birdies out there to get my round even par.

Q. Can you talk to us about how you feel like you hit the ball today? Were you happy how you hit it?

ELISE BARBER: On the first few holes they weren't going that good due to pressure from the crowd and stuff. As I went on my irons and wedges started to perform a bit more and I started getting near the pin and leaving myself birdie chances out there.

Q. You were 2-over at 9 and managed to come in 2-under on the back nine. Talk about that.

ELISE BARBER: Yeah, so after 9 I was thinking, this is not too bad. I was like, considering the distance I'm playing and type of shots out there, like on a par-5, hitting driver and a wood into the green, definitely on the back nine I just -- after making a birdie on 10 I definitely found a bit more confidence leading into the following few holes.

Q. Nice. Was it nice to have your dad with you there the whole way?

ELISE BARBER: Yes, he's a great support out there. Always giving me fist bumps no matter what. Yeah, great support.

Q. Nice. And I guess how much confidence do you take being able to come into this environment with all the signage and all the cameras and you've done really well?

ELISE BARBER: Definitely tomorrow I bet I'll probably feel the same nerves on the first few holes and get into the feel again, but I think I'm gaining a bit more confidence seeing home crowds and everything like that out there.

Q. You mean to be in school at the moment. What have you told them?

ELISE BARBER: Yeah, no, my teachers are supporting me. They were always like, good luck, good luck, this and that. My friends are definitely cheering me on, texting me, oh, my gosh, how did you go?

They're all really great support and I'm glad to have them by my side.

Q. A lot of people have read about your story being the youngest here and they're quite inspired by that. How does that make you feel?

ELISE BARBER: Yeah, that's more added pressure. Again, I'm glad that they read it and they're out here again to support me my whole way.

Q. Lastly, what does the afternoon look like? Get some rest and get ready again tomorrow?

ELISE BARBER: Definitely going to relax myself, maybe do a few extra putts out there to get an extra feel of the greens, then, yeah, definitely relax and get the rest of my nerves out and prepare for tomorrow.