It seemed to be shaping up as a possible repeat of Elizabeth Wang’s first match at the U.S. Women’s Amateur, where she rallied from 2 down against Coloradan Jennifer Kupcho and won in extra holes (READ MORE).
But while much of Thursday’s round-of-16 match in Kingston, Tenn., played out similarly, the end of the script was far different. And the result was that the former Parker resident saw her run end at the prestigious championship.
After being 2 down after 13 holes against Ohio State golfer Jaclyn Lee of Canada, Wang birdied three of her final five holes of regulation — including No. 18 from 18 inches — to extend the match.
But after halving the 19th hole with a par, Wang saw Lee birdie the 20th for the win and a berth in the quarterfinals at The Golf Club of Tennessee.
Wang, who lived in Parker until 2010 when she moved to San Marino, Calif., fell despite going 4 under par for the 20 holes. She made two 20-foot birdie putts on the back nine, but missed a 4-footer that would have won No. 13. (Wang is pictured Thursday in a USGA photo.)
Lee, ranked 26th in the world among women amateurs, finished 5 under on Thursday in a match that received plenty of attention during FS1’s afternoon TV coverage.
Earlier, Wang easily defeated Megan Schofill of Monticello, Fla., 5 and 4 in the round of 32. Wang never trailed in the match, going 2 under par for 14 holes.
Wang, the 2015 national Girls Junior PGA Champion who finished 34th in this year’s U.S. Women’s Open, also went to the round of 16 at the U.S. Women’s Am in 2015. She’ll soon be off to Harvard for her freshman season of college golf.
Here are the results for all the players with strong Colorado connections who competed at the U.S. Women’s Amateur:
MATCH PLAY
Round of 16 Thursday
Jaclyn Lee of Canada def. former Coloradan Elizabeth Wang of San Marino, Calif., 20 holes
Round of 32 Thursday
Former Coloradan Elizabeth Wang of San Marino, Calif. def.
Megan Schofill of Monticello, Fla., 5 and 4
Round of 64 Wednesday
Former Coloradan Elizabeth Wang of San Marino, Calif. def. Jennifer Kupcho of Westminster, 19 holes
STROKE PLAY
Advanced to Match Play
15. Former Parker resident Elizabeth Wang 70-69–139
39. Jennifer Kupcho of Westminster 70-72–142
Failed to Advance to Match Play
133. CU golfer Gillian Vance of Lakewood 75-79–154
133. Former Denver resident Emily Gilbreth 76-78–154
139. DU golfer Mary Weinstein of Highlands Ranch 80-75–155
For all the scores from the U.S. Women’s Amateur, CLICK HERE.
