Natalie Yen wins ANNIKA Invitational behind stellar final round
Natalie Yen (AJGA Photo)
Natalie Yen won the 16th Hilton Grand Vacations ANNIKA Invitational presented by Rolex with a tournament total score of 13-under-par 206.
Yen started the final round one stroke back of fellow 2025 graduate Thanana Kotchasanmanee. The two battled much of the day, finding themselves tied at 11-under-par for more than half the round. Yen broke away as they made the turn, stringing together birdies on Nos. 10 and 11.
A bogey on 12 set her back one, but she rebounded with a birdie on No. 16 to close out the win. Yen was met on 18 green by tournament Annika Sorenstam to cap off the win.
The Texas A&M verbal commit is walking away this week with her first AJGA win and the opportunity to tee it up at the next level. With her win, Yen earned an exemption to the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions this weekend at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club. With her opening tee shot on Thursday, she is making her second LPGA start.
The 2025 graduate won the Kathy Whitworth Invitational in 2023 and earned a spot in The Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America. Yen will also get the chance to play in a 2024 Epson Tour event later this spring.
Thanana Kotchasanmanee and Siuue Wu finished T2 at 10-under, while Vanessa Zhang finished in solo fourth place at 8-under. Sofia Cherif Essakali and Scarlet Schremmer finished T6 at 7-under and Eliana Saga finished in solo eighth place at 6-under.
Seven golfers finished T9 at 5-under.
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ABOUT THE ANNIKA Invitational
Conducted by the American Junior Golf
Association, the ANNIKA Invitational is a 54-hole
stroke play competition featuring 72 girls, ages
14-18.
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