BRAINERD, Minn. – After falling down to Aayushi Sarkar early during the final match Wednesday, Emma Welch rallied to a 2 and 1 victory to win the 20th Minnesota PGA Junior Girls’ Players Tour Match Play Championship at the Dutch Legacy Course at Cragun’s Resort.
After defeating Dasha Parker early Wednesday to reach the finals, an early bogey by Welch quickly gave Sarkar a 1-up lead before Welch rebounded with a birdie at the third to draw even.
Sarker rolled in her birdie chance at the par-3 sixth to regain the lead, but carded a bogey on the ensuing hole to even the match through seven holes. With a birdie at the par-5 ninth, Welch would take a slim, 1-up lead to the inward nine.
Squaring the match with bogey at the 10th, Sarkar quickly answered Welch, but Sarkar would make a costly bogey at the 13th that would give Welch all the room she needed. Expanding her lead to 2-up with a birdie at the 14th and closed out the match at the 17th with a 2 and 1 victory.
“It was one of my goals this year to win the Match Play,” Welch said Wednesday. “I’m most excited to be back on the Minnesota PGA Junior Cup Matches team after winning, since that’s my favorite event.
“I drove the ball really well this week. I don’t let pressure get to me when I need to make a putt. I made the putts when I had to.”
20TH MN PGA JR. GIRLS’ PLAYERS TOUR MATCH PLAY CHAMPIONSHIP
DUTCH LEGACY AT CRAGUN’S RESORT
BRAINERD, MINN.
5,699 YARDS, PAR 72
WEDNESDAY’S FINAL MATCH
Emma Welch, Lakeville, Minn., def. Aayushi Sarkar, Woodbury, Minn., 2 and 1
WEDNESDAY’S SEMIFINAL MATCHES
Emma Welch, Lakeville, Minn., def. Dasha Parker, Hopkins, Minn., 5 and 4
Aayushi Sarkar, Woodbury, Minn., def. Madi Hicks, Victoria, Minn., 2 and 1
For complete tournament results go to: https://mnpgajr.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/mnpgajr18/event/mnpgajr1821/contest/5/leaderboard.htm
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