Tsubasa Kajitani Wins Augusta National Women's Amateur
Tsubasa Kajitani Wins Augusta National Women's Amateur
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Tsubasa Kajitani made par at the first playoff hole to defeat Emilia Migliaccio and win the Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship.
Tsubasa Kajitani Wins Augusta National Women's Amateur
Tsubasa Kajitani was the youngest player to qualify for the top-30 at the Augusta National Women's Amateur. On Saturday, though, she would defeat Emilia Migliaccio to claim the biggest win of her life.
The 17-year-old had started her day two shots back of overnight leader and world amateur number one, Rose Zhang, and a level-par front nine for Kajitani kept her firmly in contention.
With the front nine in full flow, it was Northern Ireland's Olivia Mehaffey who was making the early moves: making consecutive birdies at the seventh and eighth to join the leader, Zhang.
Related: Why Are The Augusta National Bunkers White?
Mehaffey would falter, though, making bogies at the ninth and 10th, before a double-bogey at the 12th dropped her out of contention.
As the leaders approached the back-nine, it was Karen Fredgaard who was making moves, converting four birdies in a seven hole stretch to overtake Zhang, who remained level-par for her day.
Like Mehaffey, though, Fredgaard would drop herself out of contention, racking up a bogey and then a costly double to put her three shots back.
Whilst others struggled, Kajitani pounced; birdieing the 14th and 15th to give herself a two-shot lead over Zhang who had just racked up a triple-bogey on the par-5 13th.
Related: The Nelson Bridge at Augusta National
Kajitani was the only player under-par for the tournament. That was, until, she played the par-4 17th. Placed in the middle of the fairway, the Japanese star fatted her approach shot. She then put her chip over the back, eventually three-putting for double-bogey.
The 17-year-old would par the last hole to get into the clubhouse at one-over-par and tied with Migliaccio, who was one of only five players under-par for the day.
With Zhang missing a birdie putt at the last to join the playoff, the duo headed back down the 18th.
Playing the famous finishing hole, both hit great drives onto the fairway and were faced with mid-iron approaches into the green.
But, with Migliaccio pushing her second well right of the target, her opponent would find the back of the green, leaving herself two putts for victory after Migliaccio duffed her chip into the bunker.
The 17-year-old wouldn't buckle, holing a five-foot-putt to claim her biggest ever victory.
Speaking in the Butler Cabin, Kajitani said: "I wasn't expected to win this tournament and I was just really happy to be here. I can't really describe it right now."
Related: The Trophies Awarded At The Masters
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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