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Shepherd Falls in Match Play at U.S. Women’s Amateur
8/4/2021 3:15:00 PM | Women's Golf
RYE, N.Y. – Needing a birdie to send the match to extra holes at the U.S. Women's Amateur, Duke University women's golf junior Erica Shepherd drained it, but would end up falling in extra holes in the first round of match play Wednesday at the Westchester Country Club in Rye, N.Y.
The match against Cara Heisterkamp was back-and-forth all day, but a bogey on No. 1, their 19th overall hole cost Shepherd a place in the round of 32.
Heisterkamp opened the match with a birdie on No. 1 to take a 1UP lead and went ahead 2UP through four holes. Shepherd, who hails from Greenwood, Ind., came back to win holes No. 6, No. 7, and No. 8 to take a 1UP lead. On the back nine, Shepherd ran into some trouble on No. 10 and No. 11 to fall behind once again.
A par and birdie on No. 13 and No. 14, respectively, gave Shepherd a 1UP lead once again, but a bogey on No. 15 tied the match for the fourth time. Another bogey for Shepherd on No. 17 gave Heisterkamp a 1UP lead with one hole remaining.
Shepherd, a two-time USGA Champion, came through in the clutch as she hit her approach on the par-5 18th to a couple of feet and sank the birdie to send the match to extra holes.
The duo went back to hole No. 1 and Shepherd hit her tee shot into the greenside bunker but could not get up-and-down for par to give Heisterkamp a victory in 19 holes.
Duke has three golfers who have won the U.S. Women's Amateur. Virada Nirapathpongporn won in 2003 at the Philadelphia Country Club in Gladwyne, Pa., while Amanda Blumenherst won in 2008 at the Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Ore., and Hannah O'Sullivan won in 2015 at the Portland Golf Club in Portland, Ore.
Blue Devil incoming freshman Rylie Heflin also concluded her play this week in the Pennsylvania Women's Amateur Championship as she placed third overall with a 6-over, 225. Heflin, a native of Avondale, Pa., posted rounds of 73, 76 and 76 over the three days. She collected eight birdies, which tied for third in the field as well.
#GoDuke
The match against Cara Heisterkamp was back-and-forth all day, but a bogey on No. 1, their 19th overall hole cost Shepherd a place in the round of 32.
Heisterkamp opened the match with a birdie on No. 1 to take a 1UP lead and went ahead 2UP through four holes. Shepherd, who hails from Greenwood, Ind., came back to win holes No. 6, No. 7, and No. 8 to take a 1UP lead. On the back nine, Shepherd ran into some trouble on No. 10 and No. 11 to fall behind once again.
A par and birdie on No. 13 and No. 14, respectively, gave Shepherd a 1UP lead once again, but a bogey on No. 15 tied the match for the fourth time. Another bogey for Shepherd on No. 17 gave Heisterkamp a 1UP lead with one hole remaining.
Shepherd, a two-time USGA Champion, came through in the clutch as she hit her approach on the par-5 18th to a couple of feet and sank the birdie to send the match to extra holes.
The duo went back to hole No. 1 and Shepherd hit her tee shot into the greenside bunker but could not get up-and-down for par to give Heisterkamp a victory in 19 holes.
Duke has three golfers who have won the U.S. Women's Amateur. Virada Nirapathpongporn won in 2003 at the Philadelphia Country Club in Gladwyne, Pa., while Amanda Blumenherst won in 2008 at the Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Ore., and Hannah O'Sullivan won in 2015 at the Portland Golf Club in Portland, Ore.
Blue Devil incoming freshman Rylie Heflin also concluded her play this week in the Pennsylvania Women's Amateur Championship as she placed third overall with a 6-over, 225. Heflin, a native of Avondale, Pa., posted rounds of 73, 76 and 76 over the three days. She collected eight birdies, which tied for third in the field as well.
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
PLAYER
/ Women's GolfAndie Smith, Duke | Interview | CGN
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