KATHARINA TWO UP IN US FINAL

KATHARINA TWO UP IN US FINAL

FROM THE USGA WEBSITE

North Plains, Oregon – Twenty-six-year-old Katharina Schallenberg, trying to become the first German-born player to win a USGA championship, entered the Sunday afternoon intermission with a 2-up lead against Kimberly Kim, 14, of Hilo, Hawaii, during the 36-hole final.
Schallenberg was 5 up through 15 holes but Kim won the final three at Pumpkin Ridge's Witch Hollow Course. Kim drained a 5-footer for birdie on the 16th before Schallenberg conceded a 4-footer to Kim on the next hole.
Despite just hitting seven fairways and 11 greens in regulation, Schallenberg took 27 putts. All five of her birdies won holes. By comparison, Kim was solid off the tee, missing just one fairway and finding 12 greens. She took two fewer putts than Schallenberg, but carded 10 through the first five holes.
Kim, already the youngest finalist ever, is trying to unseat 1971 champion Laura Baugh as the youngest player to win the event. Earlier this year, Kim lost in the Women's Amateur Public Links final to Tiffany Joh, 6 and 5. A couple weeks later, she played on the weekend at the Women's Open.