Tracy Wilcox photo
ORMOND BEACH, FL (January 16, 2010)--Jessica Korda rewrote the record books at the South Atlantic Amateur and held off a strong field of followers, including her friend and defending champion Alexis Thompson, to win the Sally by four shots.
The 16-year-old from Bradenton, Fla., fired the best round of the day Sunday, shooting a 3-under 69. She finished with a tournament-record four-day total of 13-under 275 at Oceanside Country Club.
“I love breaking records,” Korda said. “There’s nothing better than knowing you have broken a record and your name will always be at the top until someone else beats it."
Auburn senior Candace Schepperle, who is ranked No. 3 in the Golfweek/Titleist Women’s Amateur Rankings, finished second after a final-round 70. Thompson, meanwhile, struggled in her round, shooting 75 and failing to defend the title she cruised to last year -- winning by a record 13 strokes.
“It was disappointing,” Thompson said. “I just don’t seem to have it right now. I’m not trusting shots, not hitting it where I want, and am not dedicated to the shot.”
The momentum Korda built from a third-round 62 -- both a tournament and course record -- rolled right into the final round. She birdied the first hole, added four more birdies (offset by four bogeys), and pulled away from the pack with an eagle at the Par-5 12th.
“They [Thompson and Schepperle] are both really steady players,” Korda said. “I knew I had to shot well under par to win.”
A week after helping the United States win the Copa de las Americas team and women’s titles in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Korda, the No. 10 rated amateur, showed little sign of jet lag. She opened with 75, quickly recovered with a 69, and went on to make 15 birdies and an eagle in her last 36 holes.
With this performance, she also strengthened her position for the Curtis Cup Team.
“I would love to be on the team,” she said. “First of all you represent USA, and two you play against some of the best amateurs in the world.”
And Korda just proved she can beat the best amateurs too.
– Asher Wildman contributed to this report
ABOUT THE Women's South Atlantic Amateur (The Sally)
The Women’s South Atlantic Amateur Golf
Championship (The SALLY) is played the
second week of January each year, in Ormond
Beach, Florida. Oceanside Country Club has
been home to The SALLY since its beginnings
in 1926. The tournament field consists of top
amateurs in the US and the top finishers are
frequently represent the U.S. for the biennial
Curtis Cup team. You will find
many former SALLY players among the LPGA
elite.
72-hole stroke play championship with a
Championship Division (max handicap 6.0) and a
Rockefeller Division (max handicap 10.0) that plays
from shorter tees. There is also a Senior competition
for players aged 50 and over competing in the
Championship division.
Eligibility: A female from birth, that has
reached the age of 16. All entries are
accepted subject to Committee Approval.
View Complete Tournament Information