Tubert, Lavy win

FAYETTEVILLE – University of Arkansas junior-to-be Emily Tubert won her first round of match play to advance at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship at Neshanic Valley Golf Course in Neshanic Station, N.J., Wednesday.

Tubert moved through stroke play tied for 13th overall with a 143 (73-70).  The Burbank, Calif., native faced Katie Rose Higgins of Charleston, S.C., and played to a 2&1 win in the round of 64 Wednesday.

Tubert opened winning the first hole.  She went two-up on the third hole but gave it back on the fourth and fifth holes as Higgins rallied winning three in a row.

Tubert hit a three-wood to10 feet on the 298-yard par four seventh hole and Higgins conceded the eagle as the match moved all square.  The eagle sparked Tubert to win the next three holes and take lead she would never surrender winning 2&1.

Fayetteville, Ark., native Emma Lavy also won her first round match play in the Championship Flight of the Women’s Western Amateur in Monroe, Mich.  Lavy, who shot a 151 in stroke play, defeated Meredith Fairbairn or Orangeville, Ontario, 1 up.

Lavy faces Trisha Witherby of Richmond, Ind., in an 8:45 a.m. tee time Thursday in the round of 32.