Ruffels, an experienced member of the USC roster, leaned hard on her caddie Brant Hunt, which played a big role in her skillful navigation of next month’s U.S. Amateur venue.
“I trusted Brant every single time,” Ruffels said. “He was always right. He knows this course inside and out, and I put all of my trust in him.”
Ruffels went rogue at No. 14, though, and it paid off. Hunt told her to go for the middle of the green there, but she had ideas of her own.
“This is everything,” said Ruffels, who stars at Southern Cal. “Coming from last year when I was so close as the runner-up, this was my goal. And to do it in match play where anything can happen…I’m just so happy.”
Choi was a worthy adversary, and a close friend. The two grew up playing golf together in Australia. Earlier this year, a 19-year-old Choi nearly won the Australian Laides Classic. She had the first-round lead and finished inside the top 5. Choi was also runner-up at the IMG Academy Junior World Championship last summer. She made it to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Girls’ Junior before losing to Lucy Li.
“It was such a good fight for both of us,” Choi said. “I’m really happy for Gabi.”
While Friday’s final was a grind, it has been that way for Ruffels all week. On Friday morning, she drew Wake Forest player Emilia Migliaccio, who was the match-play stalwart of the Demon Deacons’ NCAA finals run.
Ruffels also got through recent Arkansas grad Dylan Kim, recent UCLA grad Bethany Wu, plus 17-year-old Pinehurst local Nicole Adam.