As the Dixie Women's Amateur 2023 Invitational at Palm Aire Country Club in Pompano Beach, Fla., unfolded, it was clear that this was a two-golfer race to the finish.
In the end, Molly Brown Davidson of Springville, Ala., defeated Angela Zhang of Bellevue, Wash., by one shot to win the Amateur at 4-over. Zhang finished in solo second place at 5-over.
Davidson shot rounds of 74-74-68-72 to secure the win.
Palm Aire Country Club had similar weather to Eagle Trace Golf Club, with sporadic rain and 25-30 mile per hour winds, making life hard on the golfers.
"It was really difficult and made it interesting," Davidson said. "I got more acclimated to the wind and learned from it. I just kept my head in the round and was able to put it behind me."
Davidson and Zhang battled throughout the weekend, with Davidson recording a 3-under 68 in the third round to give her the 54-hole lead.
After some back-and-forth play in the final round, Davidson birdied No. 13 to tie up Zhang at 4-over and was able to record pars on Holes Nos. 14-18, while a bogey from Zhang on the par-5 No. 16 was the defining moment.
"She is an amazing player," Davidson said about Zhang. "She is very consistent and is an incredible putter. She made everything she looked at. Keeping up with her was definitely a challenge."
Davidson is a high school senior heading to Alabama in the fall. She reclassified from the 2025 class to the 2024 class.
"It gives me that confidence boost just knowing that I can compete with these girls and the big names," Davidson said about the win. "It helps me remember I am supposed ot be here and just to keep doing what I am doing in the fall."
Yeji Kwon of Canada finished in solo third place at 10-over, and Amelie Zalsman of Saint Petersburg, Fla., and Lauryn Finley of Lake Mary, Fla., finished T4 at 11-over.
Due to the weather, the tournament shifted to a shotgun start for the final two days. Also, some golfers had to finish their third rounds on Sunday morning. However, unlike the men's invitational in Coral Springs, Fla., they were able to play all four rounds.
