Q. First off, congratulations. You're in the championship match of the U.S. Junior Amateur. Coming off last year, disappointed when you only got to the quarters, what's been the difference this year?
NGUYEN ANH MINH: Yeah, I mean, I really wanted redemption. That's what I was aiming for this year. I was very grateful that I got this far in a U.S. Junior, USGA event.
Yeah, just excited for tomorrow.
Q. You played the Amateur last year as well?
NGUYEN ANH MINH: I did, yeah.
Q. So this is your third, correct?
NGUYEN ANH MINH: Yes, this is my third, yeah.
Q. Obviously you got up early on Q today, 5-up after six holes. What's your mindset then when you're up -- in this situation to try not to get ahead of yourself and think -- because you're playing for a spot in the final.
NGUYEN ANH MINH: I mean, I was just trying to keep my foot down.
Q. Yeah.
NGUYEN ANH MINH: I was just trying to -- I'm just going to try and hit the green and just like putt it in. I was just like trying to put more pressure in him. It's Match Play so you can know when your opponent is going to have that a little bit of momentum and bounce back.
Q. You guys had a lot of tight holes. Like seven in a row after he won the 8th hole.
NGUYEN ANH MINH: Yeah.
Q. Putts just not dropping for you? I know you had some good looks for birdie.
NGUYEN ANH MINH: Yeah, it's been like that all day to me today. Putts were just hang on the lip, touch the lip. I mean, I got frustrated for a little bit and then I told myself like it's all right, like better days will come.
Q. Right. What do you think is going on right now in Vietnam? I don't know how much golf is followed in the country, but you got a chance to do something that's never been done by a player from Vietnam; that's win a USGA event. In fact, no Vietnam player has ever made it to a final.
NGUYEN ANH MINH: It's definitely special. To say I'm the first one to make it to the final of a USGA event, it's remarkable and really special. Yeah, right now they're all asleep.
Q. What's the time difference?
NGUYEN ANH MINH: It's like 12 hours, so 4:00 in the morning right now.
Q. So they're going to wake up...
NGUYEN ANH MINH: Yeah.
Q. How much is golf followed in the country?
NGUYEN ANH MINH: Pretty much. It's growing really good right now. We got a lot of juniors coming up which is great to hear and great to see as well.
Hopefully they can some time grow up and come here to the States and play some USGA event.
Q. Had a couple come here, couple last year and this year, right?
NGUYEN ANH MINH: Yeah.
Q. 36 holes tomorrow. Played two straight days of 36-hole matches. How do you get up for a third straight day in this heat and keep the stamina going?
NGUYEN ANH MINH: I mean, the heat is just insane, but stay rested, stay hydrated, and just have resilience.
Q. Already in the Amateur, so you were previously in.
NGUYEN ANH MINH: Yeah.
Q. So you got a chance to play for something bigger tomorrow, the U.S. Open.
NGUYEN ANH MINH: Yeah.
Q. How do you keep yourself from not thinking about that tomorrow?
NGUYEN ANH MINH: To me, tomorrow I'm going to take it one shot at a time. Like whatever happens, then it's going to happen. The only thing I can really control is just myself and my shots. That's what I'm going to try and do tomorrow.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports