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Briana Chacon Sets Historic Record at U.S. Women’s Amateur
LOS ANGELES — Briana Chacon achieved a remarkable feat on Tuesday morning at the U.S. Women’s Amateur golf tournament. She finished stroke play with a score of 9-under 131, breaking the previous record for the championship. In the history of the event, no golfer had ever shot better than 133 in the 36-hole stroke-play format. Chacon’s outstanding performance at Bel-Air Country Club marked a significant milestone in the tournament’s history.
Chacon Claims Top Seed in Match Play
As a fifth-year player at Oregon, Chacon’s impressive score secured her position as the top seed in the upcoming match play round, which begins on Wednesday morning. Andrea Lignell, a fifth-year player at Ole Miss, had a chance to tie Chacon but made a double bogey on the 18th hole after hitting her tee shot into a fairway bunker. Despite the setback, Lignell carded a 5-under 65 and will be the second seed in match play.
Chacon’s Preparation Pays Off
Chacon attributed her success to dedicating time to improving her putting skills in the months leading up to the U.S. Women’s Amateur tournament. Working with a coach and putting in significant effort, Chacon’s hard work finally paid off. She expressed satisfaction and pride in her accomplishment, stating that putting had always been her weak spot.
Caroline Canales Shares Lead with Chacon
Alongside Chacon, another California native, Caroline Canales, held the lead in stroke play with a score of 4-under 136 after the first round. Canales, who plays college golf for UCLA, acknowledged the challenging greens but noted that the rough had been cut, evening out the difficulty.
Playoff Determines Final Match Play Spots
A 10-for-9 playoff will take place on Wednesday morning to determine the final spots for match play. Charlotte Cantonis secured her position in the playoff by birdieing her final hole. With 65 players within the cut line, the playoff will begin on the 205-yard par-3 hole No. 10, known for its challenging canyon crossing. The scoring average for this hole during the tournament is 3.35.
Gianna Clemente Shines Ahead of Match Play
Gianna Clemente, the recent winner of the Junior PGA Championship, continued her strong performance with a 5-under 65 round on Tuesday afternoon. Clemente, who surprised many as the 18th seed in last month’s U.S. Girls’ Junior tournament, looks forward to match play despite her busy schedule. She expressed her love for competitive golf and excitement for the upcoming rounds.
Excitement Builds for Match Play
With the qualification of players like Clemente and defending champion Jensen Castle, who will also be part of the playoff, the stage is set for thrilling match play rounds at the U.S. Women’s Amateur. As the players prepare to face off in head-to-head competition, expectations are high for intense competition and a battle for the title.
