Walk off eagle on fourth playoff hole earns Malate Patriot Women's All-America title

The par 5 18th hole on the Wigwam's Blue Course was very good to Antonia Malate during her run to the Patriot All-America Invitational title on Saturday.

The San Jose State graduate student birdied the finishing hole to finish at 9-under 201 to join Grace Summerhays and Emma McMyler in a playoff. She then preceded to make three birdies and an eagle in a four-hole playoff which was played out on the 18th to secure the biggest win of her collegiate career.

Playing in the second to last group, McMyler was in the clubhouse at 9-under and then watched Malate and Summerhays birdie the 18th to force a playoff.

Summerhays, who led the tournament after each of the first two rounds, would be eliminated on the first playoff hole after Malate and McMyler made birdies on the 18th.

After Malate and McMyler exchanged birdies on the next two playoff holes (both on 18), the duo returned to the Wigwam's closing hole for the fourth time. Both players reached the par 5 in two and after McMyler missed her 25-foot eagle putt, Malate buried her 20-footer to secure the victory and the F-35 Lightning II Patriot All-America trophy.

And the winning putt from Antonia Malate… 🏆 pic.twitter.com/gzT6LZ14AA

— Patriot All-America Invitational Golf Tournament (@ThePatriotAllAm) January 1, 2023

Including the playoff, Malate played the 18th hole seven times and collected five birdies and a pair of eagles.

“This is one of my bigger collegiate wins so I’m excited,” said Malate. “[Emma] played really well and made a lot of great putts. She made it hard for me, so I had to make an eagle to win.”