Hey there, golf fans and curious minds! Imagine being right on the edge of your seat, watching some of the most talented college golfers battle it out for the NCAA women’s golf title. Well, that’s exactly what happened on a thrilling Tuesday in Carlsbad, California.
Top-seeded Stanford, led by the incredible Megha Ganne, managed to overcome Southern California in a nail-biting match. Ganne, who won her last three holes, was nothing short of a hero for Stanford, propelling her team to an all-Pac-12 final against UCLA.
UCLA didn’t have an easy day either. Stars like Carolina Canales, Meghan Royal, and Natalie Vo had to dig deep and give their best performances in both the quarterfinals and semifinals to help their team reach the final. The competition at La Costa was intense and the pressure was high, but these players showed exactly why they are among the best.
Stanford is no stranger to championship glory. They are aiming for their second NCAA title in three years and third since the NCAA switched to match play for the team title in 2015. Sadie Englemann was another standout for Stanford, needing 19 holes to beat the former champion Anna Davis in the quarterfinals. She then rushed to a 7-and-5 win over Cindy Kou in the semifinals, ending the match with a stunning 35-foot putt. ‘Everything fell my way,’ said Englemann, giving credit to her improved confidence and skillful play.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Stanford. The matches were tight, and even coach Anne Walker had her doubts when her team started missing crucial putts. ‘You don’t win a championship without playing great golf for three days,’ Walker noted, appreciating the solid performance her team delivered despite early hiccups.
On the other side, UCLA is gunning for their fourth NCAA title in women’s golf. Their last championship victory in medal play was back in 2011. The Bruins crushed Texas A&M in the quarters and built a quick 3-0 lead against Oregon, showcasing their dominance.
Carolina Canales was unstoppable, winning the first four holes against Oregon’s Karen Tsuru and taking just 13 holes to finish the match. Meghan Royal and Natalie Vo also brought their A-game, with Royal never trailing and closing with a 40-foot birdie putt, while Vo wrapped things up with a 2-and-1 win over Minori Nagano.
The spotlight is now on the championship match to be held on Wednesday, and the air is thick with excitement and anticipation. Will Stanford claim another title, or will UCLA snatch the victory? The stage is set, and all eyes are on these unstoppable teams.
As the sun sets over La Costa, everyone is buzzing with excitement for the final showdown. Both Stanford and UCLA have shown they have what it takes to win, but only one team will walk away as the NCAA women’s golf champion. Tune in to see who claims the crown!
Source: Espn
