U.S. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

August 16, 2026

Jay Leng

Merion Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. It was a great week, obviously. Didn't get the result you wanted, but just talk about the entire week, getting to the championship match and all the perks that you're going to get from this week.

JAY LENG JR: You know, it's 10, 11 rounds of golf - I can't even count anymore - but after the Western, this week, it's a very long stretch of golf, and it shows that I can compete with the best. This is the first match I've lost --

Q. Since the NCAAs.

JAY LENG JR: It happens. Everyone has a bad day. The conditions were pretty tough out there. But Jack played incredible. It just solidifies what I've been doing all summer.

Q. You were 2-up at the lunch break. Did he do anything differently? Did you do anything differently? He came out firing and he won four holes in a row there on the front.

JAY LENG JR: I didn't really do anything different. I mean, he just got off to a really hot start. He birdied 2, birdied 3. Just couldn't really do anything about it. I tried to reset, and then he just made a few more birdies, and that's that.

Q. Did you feel any different with your game today?

JAY LENG JR: Not really. I didn't play great, golf. Didn't make as many putts as I wanted to. But it was raining, windy, very different conditions today. Not too disappointed.

Q. This is not weather you see in San Diego very often. Was it tough to play in it?

JAY LENG JR: It was very tough. Switching gloves every other shot, putting on my rain gear, everything was pretty tough about it. But that's what a championship is.

Q. Kevin Hammer gave you some good news on the green, the Walker Cup. I know that probably was on your radar since the summer started. You're going to be going to Lahinch. Talk about that.

JAY LENG JR: Yeah, it didn't really -- I didn't really think about it much until the middle of the summer. I'd say after the Northeast and Southern and then I realized I really had a chance before the Western, and obviously winning the Western and getting second here really helps.

Q. You've played the Junior Ryder Cup so you've represented your country before. What do you think it'll be like when you go over there?

JAY LENG JR: Yeah, the Junior Ryder Cup was actually one of my favorite memories ever because that was the first time I ever competed in front of that many people, and today kind of reminded me of that. Even though I didn't have my best stuff, but I'm really excited for the Walker Cup, and I'm going to be in Ireland next week anyway.

Q. You were?

JAY LENG JR: Yes, for Stanford. We go on a trip every four years.

Q. So this is just a team trip?

JAY LENG JR: Team trip.

Q. Where are you playing?

JAY LENG JR: Royal County Down, all the great courses there.

Q. Any other ones that --

JAY LENG JR: I don't know the names.

Q. Royal Portrush maybe?

JAY LENG JR: I think so, yeah.

Q. Are you just going to stay over there then?

JAY LENG JR: I'm not really sure how the scheduling of the Walker Cup works. I heard there's some clothes fitting and stuff, so I'll figure it out.

Q. That'll be your first trip to Ireland?

JAY LENG JR: Yes, I believe so.

Q. So Lahinch will be your second?

JAY LENG JR: Correct.