Teenager Gabriela Ruffels became the first Australian to win the US Women's Amateur championship when she birdied the final two holes to beat Albane Valenzuela one-up in the 36-hole final in Mississippi on Sunday.
Ruffels, the daughter of former professional tennis players Ray Ruffels and Anna-Maria Fernandez, was behind for most of the final at the Old Waverly course in West Point.
But she proved clutch at the end, hitting a series of magnificent iron shots to clinch victory with four birdies in the final five holes.
"This is my dream, my goal," said 19-year-old Ruffels at the victory presentation.
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"I've worked so hard to get here. It was a great match. It could have gone either way but I'm so glad I have the trophy. I wanted it so bad."
Valenzuela, 21, who was attempting to become the first Swiss winner, was also the losing finalist two years ago.
"It's hard to be that close. I fought hard so there's nothing to regret," she said.
It was only the second time in the past century that the final pitted two non-American players, though both Ruffels and Valenzuela attend university in the United States.
Ruffels was the third Australian finalist, after Lindy Goggin (1981) and Anne-Marie Knight (1995), who both lost the title match.
The sister of promising tour golfer Ryan Ruffels, she only took up golf at age 15 after tiring of competitive tennis.
As if the pressure of playing the final was not enough, Ruffels had to switch bag carriers witRead More – Source
Teenager Gabriela Ruffels became the first Australian to win the US Women's Amateur championship when she birdied the final two holes to beat Albane Valenzuela one-up in the 36-hole final in Mississippi on Sunday.
Ruffels, the daughter of former professional tennis players Ray Ruffels and Anna-Maria Fernandez, was behind for most of the final at the Old Waverly course in West Point.
But she proved clutch at the end, hitting a series of magnificent iron shots to clinch victory with four birdies in the final five holes.
"This is my dream, my goal," said 19-year-old Ruffels at the victory presentation.
Advertisement
"I've worked so hard to get here. It was a great match. It could have gone either way but I'm so glad I have the trophy. I wanted it so bad."
Valenzuela, 21, who was attempting to become the first Swiss winner, was also the losing finalist two years ago.
"It's hard to be that close. I fought hard so there's nothing to regret," she said.
It was only the second time in the past century that the final pitted two non-American players, though both Ruffels and Valenzuela attend university in the United States.
Ruffels was the third Australian finalist, after Lindy Goggin (1981) and Anne-Marie Knight (1995), who both lost the title match.
The sister of promising tour golfer Ryan Ruffels, she only took up golf at age 15 after tiring of competitive tennis.
As if the pressure of playing the final was not enough, Ruffels had to switch bag carriers witRead More – Source
