DuPont, WA – Calm, cool, and bogey-free. Cindy Hsu showed why she’s one of the most elite amateurs in the game, firing back-to-back rounds of 67 to cruise to victory at the Ladies National Golf Association (LNGA) Amateur Championship at The Home Course. Her 12-under-par total over three days put her six shots ahead of co-runner-ups, Caroline Smith and Rebecca Wang, who both finished at 6-under.
Hsu, the reigning Women’s Elite Amateur Cup Champion is ranked in the top 50 amateur in the world. She was clinical from tee to green, not dropping a single shot over her final 39 holes. Her performance included a calm presence that never wavered under pressure. She used her last win, the 2023 World Amateur Championship, as a building block for today’s round.
“I tried to stay present and focus on myself and be patient on every single shot,” said Hsu, who had 17-year LPGA veteran and four-time tour winner Candie Kung on the bag. The former
LPGA standout is a fellow native of Taiwan who has worked with Cindy for the past five years. This was the first win for Kung as a caddie, and she celebrated with Hsu in style – keeping the 18th flag to mark the milestone.
While Hsu was the story of the day, the pair of runner ups each brought their own star power. Caroline Smith started Thursday’s final round with a birdie on the first hole to cut Hsu’s lead to one. She applied steady pressure all day and posted a solid 71 (-1), but couldn’t overcome Hsu’s closing 67 (-5). Smith, who had her dad Michael on the bag, ends her amateur career on a high note before heading to LPGA Q-School this fall.
16-year-old Rebecca Wang of Beijing, China, the other co-runner up put together a stellar three days that included leading early in the tournament as well as an opening hole eagle today. The Northwestern University commit holed her second shot on the first hole to jump to two back from Hsu. Her final round of 69 matched her first day total but she lost ground to Hsu over the final 18 holes. Her 6-under finish secured her a share of second place overall and the Dorothy Pease Junior Medalist Trophy as the top junior in the field.
Rounding out the final day’s events, was the presentation of the Howell Team trophy. The legacy Longhorn duo of Bentley Cotton and Cindy Hsu proved once again they’re a force to be reckoned with when teamed up together, as they defended their Howell Team Trophy title. The back-to-back team titles for the pair, show why Texas golf is always in the mix at the LNGA.
About the Ladies National Golf Association (LNGA)
Founded in 1927, the LNGA is a national, volunteer-led women’s amateur golf association dedicated to
Promoting the game, conducting an elite championship, and upholding sportsmanship and camaraderie. LNGA champions include LPGA stars, USGA titleholders, and legends of the game.
Contact Information:
For media inquiries, please contact:
Tobi Herron,
LNGA Board of Director, Communications Committee
Email: Ladiesnationalgolf@gmail.com
Website: https://ladiesnationalgolf.org
