Messimer rallies to win the Carolinas Women’s Amateur
6/11/2022 | by Carolinas Golf Association
see also: View results for Carolinas Women's Amateur, Grandfather Golf & Country Club - Grandfather Course
The 15-year-old hoists the trophy after winning a one-hole playoff at Yeamans Hall Club in Charleston, S.C.
It was an exciting finish at the 96th Carolinas Women’s Amateur Championship as 15-year-old Madison Messimer of Myrtle Beach, S.C. hoisted the trophy after a nail-biting playoff victory. Messimer went head-to-head with College of Charleston’s Mary Kathryn Talledo of Spartanburg, S.C. in a one-hole playoff after the pair finished at 2-under-par 214.
“I was excited and a little bit nervous coming in,” Messimer said. “I wanted to start out strong, finish strong and make as many putts as possible.”
Messimer was steady all week, carding rounds of 73-70-71 to finish at 2-under-par for the championship. Heading into the final round, Mary Kathryn Talledo held a 4-stroke lead over Messimer after an impressive opening round of 7-under-par 65 and a second-round 74. Talledo maintained her lead throughout the final round, but Messimer also maintained her steady play.
On the 17th tee, Talledo held a five-stroke lead and had the championship within her grasp. However, things took an unfortunate turn when Talledo made a triple bogey on the tough 387-yard Par-4. While Talledo was struggling, Messimer sunk a birdie putt, resulting in a 4-shot swing on the leaderboard. The pair stepped onto the 18th tee and Messimer seized the momentum.
“Honestly, when I was going into No. 17, I didn’t know that I was down five strokes and I hit a great drive,” Messimer said. “I hit my second shot to about six feet and then made the putt for birdie.”
On No. 18, Messimer hit her approach to within birdie range and had a putt to win the championship outright after Talledo bogeyed her final hole. Messimer missed the putt on the high side and with a tie at the top of the leaderboard, the championship headed into a sudden-death playoff on No. 18.
“I have been in playoffs before. I was really nervous, but I have won every playoff I have been in so that made me feel better,” Messimer said. “I just wanted to do the same thing that I did when I played No. 18 the first time, but make the birdie putt.”
Similar to her play all week, Messimer remained steady during the playoff. Her drive found the center of the fairway, her second shot was in perfect position and her wedge into the Par-5 gave her a chance to redeem her missed birdie attempt from moments before. After a perfect drive and an impressive approach to the front fringe, Talledo seemed to have the advantage. However, Talledo had some trouble with the signature Yeamans Hall Club false front on No. 18 green and after two chips, she had a short par putt while Messimer stared down another birdie opportunity. With a second chance at victory on the line, Messimer sank the birdie putt, sealing her title as the 96th Carolinas Women’s Amateur champion.
“It was breaking right. It was the exact same putt I had when I first played 18, but it was just a little longer,” Messimer said. “I missed it on the high side the first time, so I just aimed it in the same spot and it went in this time.”
When asked what this victory means to her, Messimer acknowledged her fellow competitors while recognizing that hard work pays off. “It means a lot, because all of the players are really good,” Messimer said. “I’ve worked so hard so it is great that it is paying off.”
Sophia Burnett of Bluffton, S.C came in third place finishing at 216, even-par for the week. In fourth place, Chloe Holder of Williamston, S.C. finished with a 1-over-par, 217 and Alexia Siehl of Fort Mill, S.C. finished in fifth place at 2-over-par, 218.
Messimer was steady all week, carding rounds of 73-70-71 to finish at 2-under-par for the championship. Heading into the final round, Mary Kathryn Talledo held a 4-stroke lead over Messimer after an impressive opening round of 7-under-par 65 and a second-round 74. Talledo maintained her lead throughout the final round, but Messimer also maintained her steady play.
On the 17th tee, Talledo held a five-stroke lead and had the championship within her grasp. However, things took an unfortunate turn when Talledo made a triple bogey on the tough 387-yard Par-4. While Talledo was struggling, Messimer sunk a birdie putt, resulting in a 4-shot swing on the leaderboard. The pair stepped onto the 18th tee and Messimer seized the momentum.
“Honestly, when I was going into No. 17, I didn’t know that I was down five strokes and I hit a great drive,” Messimer said. “I hit my second shot to about six feet and then made the putt for birdie.”
On No. 18, Messimer hit her approach to within birdie range and had a putt to win the championship outright after Talledo bogeyed her final hole. Messimer missed the putt on the high side and with a tie at the top of the leaderboard, the championship headed into a sudden-death playoff on No. 18.
“I have been in playoffs before. I was really nervous, but I have won every playoff I have been in so that made me feel better,” Messimer said. “I just wanted to do the same thing that I did when I played No. 18 the first time, but make the birdie putt.”
Similar to her play all week, Messimer remained steady during the playoff. Her drive found the center of the fairway, her second shot was in perfect position and her wedge into the Par-5 gave her a chance to redeem her missed birdie attempt from moments before. After a perfect drive and an impressive approach to the front fringe, Talledo seemed to have the advantage. However, Talledo had some trouble with the signature Yeamans Hall Club false front on No. 18 green and after two chips, she had a short par putt while Messimer stared down another birdie opportunity. With a second chance at victory on the line, Messimer sank the birdie putt, sealing her title as the 96th Carolinas Women’s Amateur champion.
“It was breaking right. It was the exact same putt I had when I first played 18, but it was just a little longer,” Messimer said. “I missed it on the high side the first time, so I just aimed it in the same spot and it went in this time.”
When asked what this victory means to her, Messimer acknowledged her fellow competitors while recognizing that hard work pays off. “It means a lot, because all of the players are really good,” Messimer said. “I’ve worked so hard so it is great that it is paying off.”
Sophia Burnett of Bluffton, S.C came in third place finishing at 216, even-par for the week. In fourth place, Chloe Holder of Williamston, S.C. finished with a 1-over-par, 217 and Alexia Siehl of Fort Mill, S.C. finished in fifth place at 2-over-par, 218.
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...
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 FINAL SCORING
Dec 8, 2025Helen Briem earns medalist honors, 31 players headed to the LPGA next year
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Final Stage: Ewart Leads Five New TOUR Card Winners
Dec 14, 2025A.J. Ewart topped Final Stage at TPC Sawgrass, leading five players who secured PGA TOUR membership for 2026.
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
Inside Gil Hanse’s Restoration of Baltusrol’s Upper Course: A Return to Tillinghast’s
Dec 11, 2025Renowned architect Gil Hanse reveals how he brought Baltusrol’s Upper Course back to life by honoring A.W. Tillinghast’s original