Doris Chen is a 17-year-old from Bradenton, Fla., who is making her first appearance in a USGA final after advancing to the semifinals of the U.S. Girls’ Junior in 2009. A rising senior at the Pendleton School, Chen has given a verbal commitment to attend the University of Southern California in the fall of 2011. USGA communications staff writer talked to Chen after her 4-and-3 semifinal win over Gyeol Park of Korea.
Question:Is there a player you look up to as a mentor or idol?
Chen :There’s a lot. I like Yani [Tseng], I like Paula [Creamer], I like Annika [Sorenstam].
Question:Two players from Chinese Taipei have won USGA championships, Candie Kung at the 2001 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links and Yani Tseng at the 2004 WAPL. If you won the Girls’ Junior, how would it be played up back home?
Chen :It might be big news. I’m not sure.
Question:Do you have a favorite club in your bag?
Chen :No. I like every club the same.
Question:What’s in your IPod?
Chen :A lot of Chinese songs and American songs.
Question:What’s one thing you would like to change with your game?
Chen :I want to drive far.
Question:If I made you the czar of golf for a day, is there a rule or something about the game that you would change?
Chen :Maybe can fix the spike marks [on the green].
Question:Where does the Girls’ Junior rank among the events you have played?
Chen :This is the best tournament I play in.
Question:Have you had a lot of text messages this week?
Chen :Yeah. Some. My friends, my mental conditioning teacher. My [swing] coach.
Question:Do you have a favorite class in school?
Chen :Not really, but it might be art next year.
Question:What are your grades like?
Chen :I have all As.
Question:Where are you going after the Girls’ Junior?
Chen :I am going to Taiwan and then I’m coming back for the [U.S. Women’s] Amateur.