BECKY LUCIDI QUOTES:
I’ve played the course twoand a half times. I played the front nine three times and the back nine two times. It’s highly challenging. The fairways are pretty generous, the greens are pretty small. With the weather we’ve had we have pretty soft greens. I have a local caddie who knows the greens. They’re tricky out there. I’ll hit a putt and it will break one way, then he’ll tell me how it really breaks.
Compared to Sleepy Hollow Country Club where she won last year: I’m hitting driver on every par 4 and par 5. The length here is a larger factor.
What do you remember about last year’s final match: This is going to sound funny but not much. If you tell me a certain hole I can remember what club I hit and what shot I played, but it’s like a pink blur, because I was wearing a pink shirt. I just remember putting well.
Toughest Hole: Probably number four. It’s going to play difficult this week. Six and seven are difficult because of the length.
Her greatest thrill as Women's Amateur champion: Playing in the U.S. Women’s Open. I really enjoyed playing with Juli (Inkster) and Karrie (Webb). They’re just normal people trying to make a living playing golf. It was fun. I observed them a lot because I thought I could learn by watching them. I watched Juli a lot and she never watches anyone else swing. She just goes about her business.
On 2003 Women's Amateur Public Links runner-up and 2002 NCAA Division I individual champion Virada Nirapathpongporn: Without a doubt she’s one of the most quality people you’ll ever meet. Intelligent, a fine player, and she’s a friend of mine. No, I’m lucky to be a friend of hers. She’s going to be one to watch this week.
On publicity surrounding Michelle Wie: I think it’s great. I actually wish I could be considered an underdog. I’m comfortable there. Obviously she’s a huge asset to junior golf and even to our golf, women’s amateur golf. She’s just a 13-year old and she’s playing well, so she’s going to get attention.
There’s more interest in women’s golf than ever before. I definitely think this is the high point (of that interest). The depth of the field the last two years is incredible, and the interest is going to peak now. I think this is the strongest field ever. Every pairing has one really strong player in it, if not two.
On the pressure of being defending champion: I just want to get through Monday and Tuesday (stroke play qualifying). I feel more pressure than at any other tournament. My family is at home pulling for me saying, 'Just play to please yourself.' "