FINAL RESULTS
TUBAC, Ariz. (April 29) – Gretchen Johnson of Portland, Ore., held onto her three-day lead to claim the win at the 2nd Annual LNGA Mid-Amateur Championship. In the senior division, Shelly Haywood crept to the top and held her lead throughout the final day of the Championship to claim the title.
Johnson shot 74-69-75-218 over the course of the tournament with an eight-stroke lead at the end of the day. In addition to her most recent title, Johnson also holds the 18th PNGA Women’s Mid-Amateur title, and has many other medalist honors from tournaments across the country.
“I think it’s natural to feel a little bit of pressure, especially when you have somewhat of a lead,” Johnson said. “There’s maybe a little bit of extra pressure to make sure you get it across the line”
Amanda Jacobs of Portland, Ore., took home runner-up honors. On the second day, Jacobs started off strong with birdies on the first two holes. The former University of Idaho athlete finished the event with a score of ten-over (75-74-77-226). Third runner up, Allison Gonring of Cincinnati, Ohio., shot an even 72 on the final day of competition to secure the third place spot. A strong finish with two birdies on the back nine Gonring had posted a three-day score of eleven over (82-73-72-227).
“I just really tried to build off my good round yesterday,” Gonring said. “Flipped the switch yesterday, and that was so much momentum going in to today, playing with great members like Gretchen and Amanda helped”
In the senior division, former University of Arizona golf coach Shelly Haywood of Huntington Beach, Calif., held onto the lead to claim the Championship title. She finished the final day strong with an even 72 and two birdies to shoot +3 overall (73-74-72-219).
“I played really well, I didn’t make any mental mistakes today and stayed really patient,” said Haywood “I tried not to get ahead of myself and really stick to the game plan.” Haywood plans to continue her season with The Amateur Golf Alliance Tournament in Dallas, Texas.
The runner-up honors for the senior division went to Robin Krapfl of Peoria, Ariz., after she shot eight over (78-72-74-224) over the three days. The University of Nebraska golf coach posted an even par on the second day, and battled through the race for second place throughout the third day. Krapfl intends on continuing the season with the Arizona Open.
“My putter became a little bit bulky, and I gave some shots back,” said Krapfl, “but I’m proud of myself because I hung in there and made a couple more birdies”
After an intense battle on the third day, a two-way tie for third place between Mary Budke of Rancho Mirage, Calif., and Kathy Kurata of Pasadena, Calif., emerged. Budke and Kurata both finished at nine over with respective scores of (75-75-75-225) and (74-75-76-225).