Lyla Louderbaugh Advances to Semifinals of U.S. Women’s Amateur in Thrilling Match
University of Kansas golfer Lyla Louderbaugh made an impressive advance to the semifinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur on Friday, after a close match at Bandon Dunes. Louderbaugh, who at one point held a 2-hole lead over the number one ranked player, Kiara Romero, showed composure by recovering and securing the victory on the 20th hole. The Kansas golfer, a two-time Kansas Women’s Amateur champion, will face Brooke Biermann in the next stage. Stanford player Megha Ganne also secured her place in the semi-finals after defeating Eila Galitsky of Thailand. Ganne will face Ella Scaysbrook of Australia in her next match. Louderbaugh took control of the match against Romero, with an excellent tee shot on the 12th hole and a precise approach on the 13th hole, achieving a two-hole lead. However, the situation changed drastically in the final holes. In the 17th hole, Louderbaugh sent his shot to the green out of it, and in the 18th hole, his shot veered into the undergrowth, allowing Romero to win the hole.In the first playoff hole, number 10, Louderbaugh’s 7-foot putt didn’t go in. It was on the 20th hole where Romero missed, leaving Louderbaugh with the opportunity to win. Louderbaugh made two putts from 20 feet to secure the victory. Ganne, for his part, maintained an early lead and, despite the pressure, managed to hold his position in the lead. Biermann rallied after being down, winning three consecutive holes, including a great shot on the 11th hole.“I went to the bathroom and told myself: ‘You were playing great on the last two holes. You don’t need to let the two mistakes affect you'”, Louderbaugh commented. “I told my caddie to let me think on my own, to go over the shots in my head. That helped me think clearly”.
Lyla Louderbaugh
