U.S. WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

August 9, 2026

Anna Iwanaga

The Honors Course

Press Conference

Q. Anna, I know came a little bit short, but it's a very successful week. For you to make to this far is a huge accomplishment. When you look back on the week what do you remember most?

ANNA IWANAGA: I remember match 32. I was 3-down, but I fought back later in the match. I came farther up in this tournament, so I'm quite happy and I learn a lot from this.

Q. And then two USGA tournaments, your first two USGA tournaments this summer, the Girls' Junior and this. Can you just talk about what it means to come to America, play in those tournaments, and just how your summer went?

ANNA IWANAGA: It's huge to come to play USGA events. Clairey Lin from Canada won United States Girls' Junior and she was here competing. Asterisk Talley was runner-up last year and I played with Asterisk in March in Junior Invitational. So I saw her in March and she's great player so good to compete again with her.

But in the future I want to compete with them again and hopefully successful in the future.

Q. And then last one: You earned an exemption into the U.S. Women's Open presented by ally next year. Talk about what that means and if you're excited to play in the...

THE INTERPRETER: The Championship?

Q. Yeah, Women's Open.

THE INTERPRETER: Is she? Finalists?

Q. Finalists, both finalists get in.

THE INTERPRETER: Really?

Q. Yes.

ANNA IWANAGA: Good.

Q. Feels good. Is that an event you watched before? Anybody next you maybe want to play a practice round with?

ANNA IWANAGA: I didn't know that I'm exempted to the U.S. Women's Open next year, so I'm quite excited to hear that.

I'd like to see and play with those high-level athletes. Looking forward to it.