Anna Morgan birdied three of the last four holes (CGA photo)
She was a full seven shots off the lead after the first round, and pulled to within four after the second.
But at the end of the 54-hole Carolinas Women's Amateur, Furman University freshman Anna Morgan of Spartanburg, SC was two shots clear of the field and seeing her name etched on the trophy of Carolinas Women's Amateur. 2020 marked the 94th playing of the prestigious championship that includes players from both North and South Carolina.
Morgan, who is ranked No. 177 in the world by Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com was seven shots off the lead following the first round of the 54-hole championship played at the par-72 Bermuda Run Country Club in Advance, North Carolina.
Not allowing an opening 79 to keep her down, Morgan bounced back with an even-par second round to put her back in contention. But she was still trailing the 36 hole leader Kathryn Carson of Wake Forest -- who shot 69 in the second round to jump into the lead -- by five shots with 18 holes to play.
In Thursday's final round, Morgan -- paired a group in front of the leaders -- carded five birdies en route to a 4-under 68 to take charge of the tournament as Carson posted 80 to take herself out of contention and neither of the other two members of the leading group could make a charge.
“I was playing pretty solid, making a lot of pars, and then on the back nine, I caught a hot streak,” Morgan told the Carolinas Golf Association. “I hit it pretty close, made a couple of putts and ended up finishing strong.”
Morgan's 3-over 219 was good for a two shot victory over 64 players, including representatives of 30 different universities.
Morgan Ketchum, who started the day four shots clear of Morgan, shot 74 to to finish tied with Duke star Gina Kim at 5-over 221. Kim also made a big move in the final round, jumping ahead of everyone except the champion with a round of 69 on Sunday.
Rachel Kuehn (Asheville, NC) finished fourth at 6-over 222, while Nicole Adam (Pinehurst, NC) rounded out the top-5 at 8-over 224. The 36-hole leader Carson finished T7
In her freshman season at Furman, Morgan was second on her team and seventh in the SoCon with a 73.9 stroke average leading all freshmen in the conference.
View results for Carolinas Women's Amateur
ABOUT THE Carolinas Women's Amateur
The championship is conducted at 54 holes of
stroke play (no cut). All players, regardless of
Handicap Index, have the option to play in the
Championship Division or the Carolinas Division. The
Overall Champion will be determined from the
contestants playing in the Championship Division.
Awards will also be given for the low senior in the
Championship and Carolinas divisions (age 50-64),
the low Super Senior in the Carolinas Division (ages
65 and older), and the medalist in the Championship
Division (low score after 36 holes).
Entry is open to any female amateur golfer who
has reached her 13th birthday by the first day of the
championship, is a legal resident of North Carolina
or
South Carolina, is a member in good standing of a
club which is a member of the Carolinas Golf
Association and has an active USGA Handicap Index
at a CGA member club that does not exceed 40.4.
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