06 Aug 2021 | Amateur golf |
Mahar into the quarter-finals at US Women's Amateur
by Dane Heverin
Emily Mahar has won twice on a 36-hole day at the US Women's Amateur to progress to the quarter-finals at Westchester Country Club.
The Queenslander began the day with a come from behind one up victory in her round-of-32 matchup against China's Sophie Guo.
Mahar grabbed the lead on the first hole and did not regain it until she made birdie on the 18th.
The pair could not be split for most of the front nine, but Guo capitalised on opportunities either side of the turn to be two up with four holes to play.
From there, it was all Mahar as she won three of the last four holes to claim victory - just as she did against fellow Australian Maddison Hinson-Tolchard in the round-of-64.
Her momentum continued in her afternoon round-of-16 match against Rianne Mikhaela Malixi of the Philippines as she held the lead for all eighteen holes.
Three up with three holes to play and facing elimination, Malixi won the next two holes to put the pressure on the Australian coming into the last.
However, Mahar held her nerve with a remarkable chip shot to make birdie on the 18th for the second time that day and secured a one up victory.
"I lost the last couple of holes to lose a big lead that I had," Mahar said.
"But I went for that green this morning - in my first match - and I had literally the exact same chip.
"I was like an inch from my pitch mark so I knew exactly what it looked like.
"It worked this morning so I just went with the same game plan and sure it worked even better now."
Mahar will now face American Jensen Castle in the quarter-finals.
Earlier in the day, Grace Kim went down to world amateur number two, Rachel Heck, in their round-of-32 match.
Kim failed to win a hole in the 7 & 6 loss.
"Rachel was unbelievably impressive, and I am a little disappointed that I didn't play with my A-game," Kim said.
"It was a tough match, and it didn't help I made no birdies and kept making bogeys, while she's there making birdies."
Update: Mahar went down 6 & 5 to eventual champion Jensen Castle in their quarter-final match.