Amateur Hartlage wins Kentucky Women's Open in playoff

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 25, 2018) – A pair of amateurs – who also happen to be college teammates -- went one-two at the Kentucky Women’s Open on Wednesday. University of Louisville junior Lauren Hartlage defeated senior teammate Olivia Cason in a playoff to win the event.

It seemed only fitting that the tournament was at the University of Louisville Golf Club.

A year ago, Hartlage was the runner-up in this event. This year, the Bowling Green, Ky., native went 67-71 to reach 6-under 138. Hartlage led the field by three strokes after hole No. 15. Cason earned birdies on Nos. 17 and 18 to climb the leaderboard, tying Hartlage with a 6-under 138 through 36 holes.

Hartlage won on the first hole of a playoff, which began at No. 10.

Cason, of Owensboro, Ky., already played in the U.S. Women’s Open this summer. She also made it to stroke play at the Ladies British Amateur.

Look a little farther down the leaderboard, and the Cardinal presence was still very dominant. Former Louisville standout Molly Skapik, now a professional, shot a 4-under 68 on Wednesday, a round that included four birdies over her final nine holes. She won the professionals division and was third overall. Skapik captured the tournament title in 2017.

There were 13 amateurs among the top 21 spots on the leaderboard. After Skapik, Taryn Walker was the next-best pro. She finished fourth at 4 under. Former Cardinals' golfer Laura Restrepo and rising sophomore Kristin Engle also finished in the top 10. Restrepo, who was the program's first all-ACC honoree, placed fifth with a 2-over 146, while Engle tied for sixth behind a 3-over-par 147.