Anna Morgan wins the Carolinas Women's Amateur

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.