U.S. Women's Amateur: Playoff Determines Final Field At Southern Hills

There was extra work to do this morning at Southern Hills as 20 players competed for 10 spots in a playoff to make the field of 64 for the match play portion of the U.S. Women's Amateur. This took place before the head-to-head competition began.

Once the field was set, some exciting matches unfolded, including one featuring Stillwater's Lucy Darr. Darr, 2 down after 12 holes, made a birdie on the 13th hole and then sunk a long birdie putt on the 16th to square the match with two holes to go. However, after dropping the 17th hole, Darr needed a birdie to tie the match on the 18th.

The Oklahoma State University signee's putt had too much pace, resulting in a lip out and giving Mara Janess a 1-up victory.

Adela Cernousek, the reigning NCAA individual champion from Texas A&M, held a 3-up lead after 9 holes and secured a 1-up victory with a bogey putt on the 18th.

Defending champion Megan Schofill took a 2-up lead on the back 9 but faltered. Her putt on the 17th was short, and she fell to Catherine Rao, 2 and 1.

As an incoming freshman, Oklahoma State's Lucy Darr showed the U.S. Women's Amateur stage is not too big. Darr rallied down the stretch to tie her match thanks to birdies on the 13th and 16th holes. Needing to win hole 18 to extend the match, Darr's birdie putt lipped out, but her approach shot into the tough par 4 was impressive under pressure.

"That was nice, one of the best shots of the day actually. And to have a short birdie putt on that hole is a really good shot," Darr said.

There will be a new champion this week with Auburn's Megan Schofill losing her round of 64 match despite being 2 up after 12 holes. Some contenders, including a pair of top 15 players in the world amateur golf rankings, top seed Marie Jose Marin, and 2024 NCAA individual champion Adela Cernousek, remain in the competition.

"Match play, anything can happen, so you have to take it day by day and shot by shot. This is a championship course, you have to be smart in your decisions. You can't breathe and be like, 'I'm okay,' no way," Marin said.

Twenty-four of the top 32 seeds won Wednesday, so another great day of golf is on tap for Thursday. Thirty-six holes are coming up.