U.S. SENIOR WOMEN'S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

October 1, 2026

Xiaolong Zhong

Portland Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Stroke play medalist, No. 1 seed going into match play, won six matches, you're the champion. How would you describe your week here at your first U.S. Senior Women's Amateur?

XIAOLONG ZHONG: I think it's not real. It's like a dream. I feel it's so -- it's a long week, right? Sometimes I was low; sometimes I was up -- up, down, up, down. I enjoy the whole game: My friends played, against my friends, against somebody else. I make birdie; they made birdie. Yeah, I don't know how to say that in English.

Q. The championship match, 15 and 16, Amandine birdies those two to get it to all square, and then you birdie on 17. How big was that birdie on 17 for you? How much confidence did that give you going into the final hole to close that match out, with the big fist bump?

XIAOLONG ZHONG: For me, the hardest hole is the No. 15, the par-5. On that hole Amandine's driver hits a tree. So for sure she'll make bogey, I think, right? I just want to make my par.

My third shot, I didn't aim at the pin. I aimed at the center of the green, and I made four-putt on that hole. Then yeah, just 1-up.

Then on No. 16 she made a nice birdie, all square. I realized just like yesterday, yesterday I was the last on No. 16 too. I think it's okay, I can get it.

Then No. 17, at first I chose my 9-iron. With the wind, I changed to 8-iron so I have a birdie chance, and I made it.

Q. So you hit a 9 before on 17 and switched to 8 today?

XIAOLONG ZHONG: I hit 8 instead of 9, yes. That's a smart choice. That's the most smart choice today (laughter).

Q. So 125-plus years of USGA Championship history. You are the sixth representing China to win a USGA title. What does that mean to you? Sixth player in USGA history to win a USGA title, what does that mean to you?

XIAOLONG ZHONG: It means a lot, yeah. I think for my -- I never think about this. Because I grew up in China, I play in China, Asia, so my amateur status, and my friends, they encourage me to play more. Oh, I come here, and I think I can make it like a Chinese.

My friends yesterday, they sent a message to me said, oh, you have a chance. You should try.

Q. Your family, your daughter joined you on 9, you saw her. What did it mean to have your family out here following you on the back nine in the final match?

XIAOLONG ZHONG: I guess it encouraged my daughter to play golf more. She's an artist. She like drawing. But my older daughter, she plays golf in BU. Yeah, she loves to play. Now I'm here role model. I'm her team role model.

Q. What did it mean to you to have the support of them and your caddie throughout the week here?

XIAOLONG ZHONG: He did a great job, yeah. So I don't know how to read the greens. He helped me a lot to read the greens, and he encouraged me, oh, you can do it. You can do it. Keep going.