AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

March 31, 2026

Kary Hollenbaugh

Quick Quotes

Q. Practice round day; how does this golf course compare to maybe last year's conditions?

KARY HOLLENBAUGH: Yeah, I think the greens, they're pretty similar speed. They're really fast. I think they're a little bit softer and they're definitely going to firm up towards the end of the rounds the next couple days.

Q. You've got a guy on the bag this week, clearly a little inexperienced but close to your heart. What does Joe bring to the table this week?

KARY HOLLENBAUGH: Yeah, I think I just wanted to enjoy the experience and just have a lot of fun knowing it's probably my last ANWA. I think he just kind of knows how to relax me on the golf course, and we can kind of distract ourselves and just enjoy the experience and have fun.

He knows my game really well, too, so that's definitely a bonus.

Q. Are you leaning on him for advice, or is this just more for, like you said, just for comfort and just to make it a memorable experience?

KARY HOLLENBAUGH: Honestly, I think he's probably better at clubbing me than myself. He was right most of the time; like every time we had kind of a differing view, he picked the right club. So yeah, I definitely trust him a lot.

Normally we don't have any discrepancies between us and we're pretty much in agreement, so it's definitely comforting just knowing that.

Q. Knowing what you know, what are you looking forward to this year and as far as enjoying it and not taking it for granted?

KARY HOLLENBAUGH: Yeah, I think last year I also had the same mindset, but I was a little -- I had a great season going, and so I was super confident. I think this year I haven't had as good of a season, but I'm definitely seeing parts of my game that are improving from last year and even from the beginning of the year.

I think just kind of taking that into this tournament and just trying to enjoy it and play aggressive but also conservative and just take the chances that I can get.

Q. What advice do you have for first-timers? For a first-timer, this is big. What advice do you have to make it as enjoyable as possible?

KARY HOLLENBAUGH: Yeah, I think just take advantage of all the people that are here to help you and really take a good look at the course during the practice round and kind of visualize the shots that you're going to hit before you tee it up.

I know the first-tee nerves and even the first-round nerves are definitely going to be there, so I think just trying to soak it all in and just kind of zone into yourself out there and not worry about too much of the outside things going on.

Q. How will you look back on your couple of trips around Augusta National if it does end up being your last time here?

KARY HOLLENBAUGH: Yeah, it'll definitely be bittersweet knowing it's my last time. But I think just having good memories out there and spending time with family and knowing that they're out there supporting me is so special.

You can never be sad that you're playing Augusta National, so I think just enjoying that and enjoying the day out there and just cherishing the last moments.