Lauren Greenlief (USGA Photo)
And then there were two.
In a week that started with ten U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champions in the 132-player field, all of whom made it to match play, there are two remaining as the 36th iteration of the championship heads into its quarterfinals.
Highlighted by the third champion vs. champion match-up in as many rounds, the Round of 16 featured a heavyweight battle as 2015 champion
Lauren Greenlief defeated 2021 champion
Blakesly Brock to earn a spot in the final eight.
It was the second champion Greenlief took out already this week, beating 2002 champion
Kathy Hartwiger in the Round of 64. The 2018 champion Shannon Johnson defeated two-time champion
Julia Potter-Bobb in the Round of 64 as well.
“It’s always tough playing a friend because you don’t want to see anyone lose the match, and you want to see great golf,” said Greenlief. “But I got up in the match first, and was up the whole time, or even, so I was pretty comfortable, and that allowed me to hit good shots.”
Greenlief, playing in her seventh Mid-Am, secured a spot in the quarterfinals for the fifth time. What started as a tightly contested match, with ties on each of the first five holes, was broken open more and more by Greenlief as the round went on. The 32-year-old out of Ashburn, Va., secured the first two birdies for either player of the match on the 6th and 7th holes, opening a 2-up advantage.
When Brock won the 9th hole with a par, cutting the deficit to just 1, Greenlief answered back immediately, winning the next hole as well as the 14th hole to expand her lead to 3, eventually winning 4 and 2. Earlier in the day, she defeated Mid-Am veteran Katie Miller, 3 and 2.
“I played consistently all day,” said Greenlief. “I had a couple of pressure scenarios that I worked through. It was an interesting day playing two of my four-ball partners. Katie, I’ve played a bunch of U.S. Four-Balls with, and Blakesly and I played the [76th Women’s] International Four-Ball together this February, so it was a battle of the four-ball partners today.”
In her three matches thus far, Greenlief has yet to see the 17th or 18th holes. Next up, she will face co-medalist Jackie Rogowicz of nearby Yardley, Pa., who is the last remaining Pennsylvanian left in the field. Eleven started the week, with three advancing to the Round of 16. Rogowicz defeated Catherine McEvoy, 6 and 5, on Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m pretty pleased with the way I’m playing,” said Rogowicz. “I mentioned it yesterday, but I feel like I’m putting well, and that continued today. It’s a nice feeling to have in one of these events. I didn’t make a bogey so that helped.”
Joining Greenlief as a champion in the quarterfinals is 2017 winner Kelsey Chugg, who won a tight match against Katrin Wolfe, 1 up. Chugg took the lead with a par on the first hole and never looked back, leading the entire way. She is looking to become the first two-time winner since her frequent U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball partner Potter-Bobb accomplished the feat in 2016.
The quarterfinals will begin Wednesday at 8 a.m. ET, followed immediately by the two semifinal matches. The 18-hole final is scheduled for Thursday morning.
ABOUT THE U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur
The U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur originated in
1987 to provide a national competitive arena
for amateurs 25 and older. Besides the age
restriction, the event is open to those with a
USGA Handicap Index of 9.4 or lower. It is
one of 14 national championships conducted
annually by the USGA, 10 of which are strictly
for amateurs.
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