U.S. wins Espirito Santo Trophy for 1st time since 1998
9/1/2018 | by United States Golf Association
see also: View results for Women's World Amateur Team, Tanah Merah Country Club
The U.S. cracked a 20-year winless streak in the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship on Saturday
DUBLIN, Ireland (Sept. 1, 2018) – The U.S. cracked a 20-year winless streak in the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship on Saturday by claiming the Espirito Santo Trophy for the 14th time.
The Americans took advantage of nearly perfect scoring conditions. Led by Kristen Gillman, winner of the 2014 and 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur championships, and Jennifer Kupcho, the reigning NCAA champion, the U.S. team eased to a 10-stroke victory over Japan on the O’Meara Course for its first gold since 1998 in Chile.
“I am so proud of these girls,” said American captain Stasia Collins. “I am so proud of this team, and I am really happy for them and thrilled for the United States. They will always be known as the gold medal winners for the 2018 World Amateur Team Championships – no one can take that away from us.”
The U.S., in winning its first medal since Argentina in 2010, posted a 29-under-par 551.
Gillman, a junior at Alabama, was the driving force of the day, making an eagle and four birdies against one bogey in her first nine holes to make the turn at 5 under. She added a birdie on the 13th en route to a 6-under 67.
Kupcho fired a 4-under-69 to give the U.S. a 10-under fourth-round total of 136. She and Gillman, plus UCLA senior Lilia Vu, were also members of the victorious U.S. Curtis Cup team in June.
“We have the strong bond already from the beginning, especially yesterday when we were all struggling we all fought for each other,” said Kupcho, who is about to start her senior season at Wake Forest. “We all wanted to win for each other, and I think that was a big thing coming out of yesterday. And, I think that’s how we got our big lead coming into today.
Japan’s first appearance on the medal podium in 28 appearances was formulated by a pair of 3-under 70s from 18-year-olds Yuri Yoshida and Yuna Nishimura.
Their final total was 19-under 561. Previously, its best finish was fourth in 1984.
Defending champion Korea stalled in its attempt to overtake the U.S. and captured the bronze medal, which is its fifth consecutive medal-winning performance. The Koreans, who had won three of the previous four WWATCs, withstood a late rally from fourth-place People’s Republic of China to finish at 18-under 562.
Although there is no official recognition, Korea’s Ayean Cho was the low individual scorer at 17-under 273.
The Americans took advantage of nearly perfect scoring conditions. Led by Kristen Gillman, winner of the 2014 and 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur championships, and Jennifer Kupcho, the reigning NCAA champion, the U.S. team eased to a 10-stroke victory over Japan on the O’Meara Course for its first gold since 1998 in Chile.
The U.S., in winning its first medal since Argentina in 2010, posted a 29-under-par 551.
Gillman, a junior at Alabama, was the driving force of the day, making an eagle and four birdies against one bogey in her first nine holes to make the turn at 5 under. She added a birdie on the 13th en route to a 6-under 67.
Kupcho fired a 4-under-69 to give the U.S. a 10-under fourth-round total of 136. She and Gillman, plus UCLA senior Lilia Vu, were also members of the victorious U.S. Curtis Cup team in June.
“We have the strong bond already from the beginning, especially yesterday when we were all struggling we all fought for each other,” said Kupcho, who is about to start her senior season at Wake Forest. “We all wanted to win for each other, and I think that was a big thing coming out of yesterday. And, I think that’s how we got our big lead coming into today.
Japan’s first appearance on the medal podium in 28 appearances was formulated by a pair of 3-under 70s from 18-year-olds Yuri Yoshida and Yuna Nishimura.
Their final total was 19-under 561. Previously, its best finish was fourth in 1984.
Defending champion Korea stalled in its attempt to overtake the U.S. and captured the bronze medal, which is its fifth consecutive medal-winning performance. The Koreans, who had won three of the previous four WWATCs, withstood a late rally from fourth-place People’s Republic of China to finish at 18-under 562.
Although there is no official recognition, Korea’s Ayean Cho was the low individual scorer at 17-under 273.
Results: Women's World Amateur Team
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | , Korea | 1500 | 68-64-71-70=273 | |
| T2 | Denver, CO | 1000 | 70-65-71-69=275 | |
| T2 | , Japan | 1000 | 65-67-72-71=275 | |
| 4 | Austin, TX | 700 | 74-65-72-67=278 | |
| 5 | , Canada | 700 | 76-69-72-65=282 |
About the Women's World Amateur Team
In 1958 the United States Golf Association asked The R&A to join them in sponsoring a world-wide amateur golf team event to be played biennially in non-Walker Cup years. Between 35 and 40 nations were represented at the first meeting and President Dw...
Most Popular Articles
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Guide: Sites, Scores, and Who Advanced
Dec 5, 2025Second Stage is complete and Final Stage awaits at Sawgrass — follow every Q-School leaderboard and the players still chasing
2025 LPGA TOUR Q-Series: Final Qualifying Stage LIVE SCORING
Dec 8, 2025Full 2025 LPGA Q-School (Q-Series) schedule, results, and leaderboard updates
Australian Open at Royal Melbourne: Preview, amateur bios, and how to watch
Nov 30, 2025Rory McIlroy headlines one of the championship's top fields in years - at least four amateurs will have their chance at glory
Luke Ringkamp Cruises to Rolex Tournament of Champions Title at TPC San Antonio
Nov 26, 2025One week after committing to Pepperdine, Luke Ringkamp won the Rolex Tournament of Champions by nine shots.
Charlie Woods’ 2025 Breakout Has Junior Golf Watching — and College Coaches Waiting
Nov 24, 2025A 2025 breakout — AJGA winner, Rolex All-American, state champ — has made the top 2027 recruit still on the board.