Lavy wins first match play

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – University of Arkansas sophomore-to-be Emma Lavy defeated Sarah Ababa in the first round of match play at the 111th Women’s Western Golf Association National Amateur Championship at Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Wednesday, 1-up.

Lavy opened with a first round 74 (39-35) and was tied for 20th overall, eight strokes behind the leader. She improved with a one-under 71 in the second round moving up after Tuesday’s play.

Lavy, a Fayetteville, Ark., native, faces Ellen Ceresko of Jefferson Township, Pa., in the round of 32. The duo tee off at 9:52 a.m. Central Thursday.

The event is one of the oldest, most consecutively played women’s tournaments in the country and has been played at several courses around the United States.