Lewis falls in dramatic finish at North Carolina

Jump to agate PINEHURST, N.C. — University of Arkansas golfer Stacy Lewis’ phenomenal run at the 91st Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur Championship came to a close Friday with a runner-up finish. Lewis, a Woodlands, Texas, native, opened stroke play Monday with a course-blistering 66 on the par-72 6,033-yard Dogwood Course at the Country Club of North Carolina and she has made quick work of her match play opponents to reach Friday’s final. Lewis took on fellow Texas and Southeastern Conference rival Taylor Leon, a sophomore at Georgia, in the finals eventually falling one-up. Leon’s break came around the 15th hole of the second round when she went birdie, birdie, eagle going one up with one to play. The duo were all square after the first 18 holes of the 36-hole final round. Lewis bogeyed the first hole failing to get up and down but rebounded with a birdied on the fourth hole to square the match. Leon, a sophomore at Georgia, got a birdie on the par-four sixth hole to take the lead on the front nine. Both players birdied the 10th hole but Leon hit her approach within two feet converting the birdied putt to go two up after 11 holes. Leon gave it right back, however, on the 12th hole with a three-putt for bogey as the lead fell to one. Lewis then squared the match on 17 sinking a 12-foot downhill putt for birdie. Lewis was two-under par through the first 18 holes hitting 12 of the first 14 fairways and making 14 greens in regulation. The afternoon round played similar to the morning 18 with the pair trading the lead. Leon hit a 20-foot putt early in the second 18 but Lewis rallied with a birdie on the par-3, 21st hole after a solid tee shot. Lewis took her first lead of the match on the 24th hole when Leon’s tee shot came to rest under a tree and she conceded the par to the Lady’Back. After halving the 26th hole, Lewis grabbed a two-up lead thanks to a birdie putt from the fringe. Lewis managed to extend her lead to three up with a birdie on the 30th hole with five to play and the match seemed over. But Leon hit three consecutive birdies and an eagle to reclaim the lead with one hole to play. Lewis controlled her own fate with a birdied putt on the final hole that just slid by the lip giving Leon the win. Lewis returns to action Monday playing alongside Amanda McCurdy at a second stage qualifier for the U.S. Women’s Open. The 36-hole qualifier takes place at TPC @ Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. Please check LADYBACKS.COM for results as they become available.91st Women’s Southern Golf Association Amateur ChampionshipCountry Club of North CarolinaPinehurst, NCPar 726,033 YardsMatch Play Results – Final Round – 6/09/06Championship Flight Taylor Leon, Dallas, Texas def. Stacy Lewis, The Woodlands, Texas 1 up Championship Consolation FlightKathy Hartwiger, Birmingham, Ala. def. Ashley Lambert, Bradenton, Fla. 2 and 1First FlightAlexis Rather, Tupelo, Miss. def. Lecia Alexander, Stafford, Texas 1 upFirst Flight ConsolationShelley McGraw, Montgomery, Texas def. Andrea Nelson, Palm City, Fla. 3 and 2Second FlightMartha Lang, Mandeville, La. def. Taffy Brower, Boynton Beach, Fla. 3 and 2Second Flight Consolation Beth Williams, Atlanta, Ga. def. Paula Fitzpatrick, Homestead, Fla. 6 and 4Third FlightNancy Smith, North Port, Fla. def. Kelly MacWhinnie, Pittsburgh, Pa. 2 and 1Third Flight ConsolationSheila Haynes, Canton, Miss. def. Monica Von Glahn, North Palm Beach, Fla. 19 holesFourth FlightDanielle Hickox, Palm Beach, Fla. def. Deborah Wolf, Diamondhead, Miss. 1 upFourth Flight ConsolationDiane Henry, Richmond, Texas def. Connie Bousquet, Mandeville, La. 1 upFifth FlightNatalie Cooke, Vienna, W.Va. def. Lien Beale, Pass Christian, Miss. 4 and 2Fifth Flight ConsolationPeggy Yountz, Cornelius, N.C. def. Catherine Sykes, Treasure Island, Fla. 1 upSixth FlightJoni LeSage, Arlington, Va. def. Lindsey Pippins, Clarksville, Tenn. 2 and 1Sixth Flight ConsolationSandra Jones, Orlando, Fla. def. Cherie Rich, Oklahoma City, Okla. 1 up