We certainly hope you’ll read the “normal” recap of the championship match of the 116th Women’s North & South Amateur, which featured inspired play and a remarkable all-day rally by champion Stephanie Lau.
That said, we also had a blast Live-Tweeting such a fun and crazy match. So, here they all are, in order, from the start of the match to the finish. You can sure feel the big swings – and find some foreshadowing – in the match. Maybe they tell the story in a little different way:
In a few hours, we’ll have a new Women’s North & South Amateur Champion – California’s Stephanie Lau or Australia’s Gabi Ruffels. We’re off on Pinehurst No. 2: pic.twitter.com/8XjH89PNkn
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
It’s an early 1up lead for Gabi Ruffels after Stephanie Lau is unable to get up and down from the front of the 1st green. Ruffels’ opening tee shot: pic.twitter.com/74l7hh0fe4
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
Ruffels has more than 210 into the 2nd green, but a masterful fairway wood finds the front of the green. Lau loses her 2nd into the greenside bunker, then watches as her shot rolls off the back of the green. A GREAT 70-foot lag putt by Ruffels now has her 2up.
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
Lau has missed all three greens so far, and this time, putts OFF the 3rd. Another confident lag by Ruffels has her comfortably in front, 3up.
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
Lau’s advantage in distance off the tee comes in handy on the long par-4 4th. Outdriving Ruffels by almost 50 yards, Lau’s beauty of a fairway wood from 210 leads to a 2-putt par and a win. Ruffels is now 2up. Lau’s opening tee shot: pic.twitter.com/urpKpEufhC
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
We’ve got a match now! Lau hits her pitch on the par-5 5th to 4 feet and makes the birdie, cutting Ruffels’ lead to 1up.
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
A terrific up and down to a nasty hole location on the par-3 6th, and Lau has come all the way back and squared the match. Amazing.
Also, that pin? Here’s what Ruffels was facing from the bunker: pic.twitter.com/gGpjro0mTg
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
7 holes, and a win on each. An errant drive by Lau leaves her with a sidehill lie in a bunker, & her approach rolls through the green. A 2-putt par by Ruffels – she’s a GREAT putter – gives her the lead again, 1up.
And we thought yesterday was wild: https://t.co/nwnIFDQ3h5
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
This one is turning into something special. Beautiful approach into 8 by Lau, who converts the birdie, and we’re all square again: pic.twitter.com/JGdOc69I2k
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
Halves on 9 & 10, the 10th with birdies, and the match remains all square. Ruffels with a nice bunker shot to set up her birdie: pic.twitter.com/msxMkkOJdX
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
What.
A.
Match.Lau chips in for birdie from off the front of the 11th green, then Ruffels pours in a birdie from 12 feet to halve. On we go to 12, all square.
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
How close is the championship final of the 116th Women’s North & South Am?
This close: pic.twitter.com/PsWDBNF4Nv
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
And the shot Lau hit to get there – Wow: pic.twitter.com/bR20rSw9S3
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
And there it is – Lau makes birdie from the back fringe of 13 – moments after Ruffels lips out from 20 feet – and Lau, once 3-down through 3, has her first lead at 1-up.
That’s 3 birdies in 4 holes on the back 9 for Lau, two of them from off the green.
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
On 14, for birdie, for Lau…will it fall…will it fall…will it fall?
Lau is 1-up through 14. pic.twitter.com/PZHNXZu7n6
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
15th hole.
Lau.
Rossed.All square. pic.twitter.com/qHIqepAqTR
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
It’s been like this most of the match – Lau’s advantage in distance off the tee is staggering. Big chance on the par-5 16th: pic.twitter.com/VG5PLEB7Mg
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
And Lau’s length pays off in a HUGE way. Her 3-wood from 220 nestles 5 feet away for eagle. She makes it, and leads 1-up headed to 17.
Wow. pic.twitter.com/dDQEwjI84K
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
Congratulations to Stephanie Lau, the Champion of the 116th Women’s North & South Amateur.
She defeats Gabi Ruffels 2&1 in a wonderful match. pic.twitter.com/loffD1sSkb
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
Please check out the recap to a remarkable championship match at the 116th Women’s North & South Amateur on Pinehurst No. 2, won by @NUGolf_Live‘s Stephanie Lau: https://t.co/e8yLt9Xdlf@NU_Sports
— Pinehurst Resort (@PinehurstResort) July 13, 2018
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