Women’s Western Am: Brigitte Thibault wins one for Canada
Brigitte Thibault (Fresno State)
Back-to-back days with back-to-back international winners in women’s amateur golf.
On Friday, Mexico City’s Sara Camarena took home the California Women’s Amateur. Saturday saw our friends North of the border claim a title of their own.
Brigitte Thibault, a Rosemere, Quebec native and Fresno State senior, defeated UC Davis’ Jackie Lucena 4&3 to claim the Western Women’s Amateur Championship.
Thibault and Lucena exchanged blows early with Thibault gaining no more than a 1 up advantage through the first six holes. After a win on No. 7, Thibault lost holes 8 and 9 to Lucena making the match all square.
“I didn’t want to get my hopes up, because I know my game right now is kind of on a roller coaster,” Thibault told the Women’s Western Golf Association. “I feel like I gained a lot of momentum from yesterday. I just kept the faith. I kept fighting and didn’t give up”
Making the turn, Thibault got back in the saddle to regain the lead. Keeping the pace, Thibault won holes 13, 14, and 15 to get the 4&3 victory.
“I think it was just like a switch,” Thibault said when talking about her front nine struggles. “I had missed a lot on the front, and I could feel how close I was to hitting it really good.”
Thibault joins Maddie Szeryk (2017) as the only Canadians to win the championship in its 120-year history. With the win, Thibault earned an exemption into the U.S. Women's Amateur in December.
ABOUT THE Women's Western Amateur
Held without interruption since 1901, the Women's
Western
Amateur has one of the most storied histories of any
major amateur
golf event. 36 holes of stroke play qualifying
determines 32 players
for match play. Matches consist of 18 holes each
until the final
match which is 36 holes.
Entries are open to amateur girls and women who 1)
have an up-
to-date 18-hole USGA Handicap
Index not to exceed 7.4 under the USGA Handicap
System, or a
state or international equivalent
handicap system, and 2) are members of a properly
organized golf
club or women’s golf group that is
a current WWGA member.
Awards: W. A. Alexander Cup – Champion;
‘Babe’ Didrikson Zaharias Memorial Trophy –
Finalist;
Margaret Lenz Trophy – Medalist; Medals -
Champion, Finalist,
Semifinalists and Quarterfinalists.
View Complete Tournament Information