GOLF Channel Notable Quotes
Golf Central Live From Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Augusta National Women’s Amateur, Friday Practice Round
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta, Ga.
Friday, April 5, 2019
**Saturday morning at 8 a.m. ET, World Golf Hall of Fame members Nancy Lopez, Lorena Ochoa, Se Ri Pak and Annika Sorenstam will convene on Augusta National’s first tee for a ceremonial tee shot in advance of the final round. GOLF Channel’s Morning Drive will carry the ceremony.
**GOLF Channel will prepare viewers for Saturday’s final round at Augusta National Golf Club with Golf Central Live From Augusta National Women’s Amateur, 10 a.m.-Noon ET.
**Saturday’s final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur will air live on NBC from Noon-3 p.m. ET.
On Friday’s practice round at Augusta National Golf Club
Kay Cockerill – “It has been genuine enthusiasm and joy from the women competing this week, practicing on Monday and playing their first two rounds. The women are aware of this moment and all that it means. Now, they are here at Augusta National Golf Club and they are out playing their practice round and thinking about tomorrow and what all this means.”
Paige Mackenzie – “Every time you watch a golf course you’ve played on TV, it looks and feels very different. For all of these players watching the Masters next week, they will have an opportunity to say, ‘I was there. I hit that shot and I know what that putt does.’”
Frank Nobilo – “Some amazing moments today for these players. So many things to take in on what would normally be a practice day.”
Mike Tirico – “There is the disappointment of not making it to the top-30 and playing for the title tomorrow. This is a pretty good soft landing, the opportunity to play a round in these pristine conditions at Augusta National.”
Brandel Chamblee – “Events like this will elevate the game and the knowledge and the history of the game such that we will tell the stories better of Babe Zaharias, Mickey Wright and Marion Hollins, who have been so important to women’s golf.”
Rich Lerner – “For all those young women and girls who are watching now who have fallen in love with the game, they can follow their bliss and they know now it can potentially take them to Augusta National Golf Club.”
Steve Sands – “We have been coming here a long, long time. I’m not sure we have ever felt an anticipation and energy like we are here today.”
Cockerill – “We have two of the best women amateurs in the game playing in the final group and we are going to see a lot of fireworks. I also think we also need to take a little half step back, give them some breathing room and allow them to enjoy the journey they are on. It is an amazing experience for them.”
Cockerill – “It floors me that we are really here doing this right now and watching these young women play this golf course – many of them for the first time – hitting shots into the 12th, 13th and 15th. It is going to be a lot of fun to see how they strategize and play these holes.”
On Jennifer Kupcho, current leader at 5-under par heading into Saturday’s final round
Kay Cockerill – “She has been building her confidence. keeps the ball rolling and keeps building on her confidence day after day.”
Brandel Chamblee – “Wake Forest assistant coach Ryan Potter said of her, ‘The bigger event, the bigger the stage, the better she plays,’ which certainly speaks to her mental strengths. Her physical and technical strengths are very impressive. She has an amazing golf swing.”
Gary Koch – “Very impressive watching her play this week. Powerful, like to draw the ball and can carry the ball quite a long way.”
On Maria Fassi, in 2nd at 4-under par heading into Saturday’s final round
Mackenzie – “I anticipate this golf course will suit her as well as anybody in the field. She is incredibly long and powerful off the tee and she can launch the ball.”
Gary Koch – “She creates a tremendous amount of clubhead speed. A huge advantage, as she will be playing shorter shots to these greens on Saturday.”
On Sierra Brooks, T3 at 3-under par heading into Saturday’s final round
Cockerill – “She doesn’t have the power game that Fassi or Kupcho has, but she has a really simple and solid golf swing, and she loves to putt. Anyone who says the putter is their favorite club, I love that sign.”
-NBC Sports Group-