Megha Ganne Advances to the Final of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship
BANDON, Ore. – Megha Ganne starred in a remarkable comeback to secure her place in the final of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. On Saturday, Ganne recovered from a 4-hole deficit with only seven remaining, achieving victory in 19 holes. She will face Brooke Biermann in the title match.
Biermann, for his part, also showed his mettle by overcoming a challenging match against Lyla Louderbaugh. Biermann led by 3 holes with three to play, but Louderbaugh, a student at the University of Kansas, won the final three holes, including crucial birdies on holes 17 and 18.
However, on the first playoff hole, the par-4 10th hole, Louderbaugh struggled. His approach shot went over the green, and after a poor chip, he conceded the match.
Ganne, ranked number 11 in the women’s amateur ranking, also faced difficult moments. Australia’s Ella Scaysbrook got 4 up after a 40-foot birdie on the 11th hole.
But Scaysbrook conceded ground, including a shot into a bunker on the 12th hole and a three-putt on the 13th. Ganne responded with a 25-foot birdie on the 15th hole, reducing the difference to one hole. Scaysbrook then lost the 17th hole.
In the final hole, both players struggled from the tee, failing to reach the green in three strokes. The hole ended in bogeys.
The 19th hole almost repeated the scenario of the previous match. Scaysbrook sent his shot over the green on the 10th hole. Ganne, for his part, left his approach shot 6 feet away, and needed nothing more than a putt. Scaysbrook needed two chips before conceding the birdie.
Ganne, soon to be a senior at Stanford, will seek her first USGA title. She previously reached the semifinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship in 2019.
Biermann, who recently finished her college career at Michigan State, plans to turn professional after the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship. The winner will earn an exemption into next year’s U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera.
Biermann, demonstrating his experience, has had to play several matches that have extended to additional holes. In the second round, he needed 22 holes to advance, and in the round of 16, he overcame a mistake on the 18th hole to win in 19 holes.
