Ruffels Remains Alive at US Women’s Am

Ruffels in action today – Chris Keane USGA

Australia’s Gabriela Ruffels hopes of a second consecutive US Women’s Amateur Championship title remain alive following success in her Round of 32 and Round of 16 matches at the Woodmont Golf Club in Maryland today.

Ruffels was behind early in both matches but fought back from a two hole deficit against China’s Lei Ye in her morning round to win 2 up and then overcame a one hole margin through 8 holes against Spain’s Teresa Toscano Borrero in their Round of 16 encounter to eventually win 4&2.

“I’ve been down in all of my matches, but No. 9 has been a big turning point for me,” said Ruffels, who has advanced farther than any defending champion since Danielle Kang in 2011. “If I can be close heading to the back nine, then I feel like I have an advantage.

“I’ve done this before so I don’t really feel the pressure or expectations. I’m just trying to have as much fun as I can out here, and I am doing that, so it’s been awesome.”

Tomorrow Ruffels tackles the well credentialed Emilia Migliaccio from North Carolina who attends Wake Forest University and is currently the 4th highest world ranked women’s in amateur golf. Miglaccio was forced into extra holes of her match this afternoon before winning at the 22nd hole.

The news was not so good for the other remaining Australian in the field Emily Mahar. Mahar suffered an agonising loss to South African Kaleigh Telfer at the 20th hole after holding a 3-up advantage through 14 holes.

Gabriela Ruffels Facts

  • No. 16 in Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking
  • Won the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Miss.
  • Playing in her fourth USGA championship (second U.S. Women’s Amateur)
  • Rising senior at the University of Southern California
  • Became the first woman ever to tee off in the Jacksonville Amateur this July
  • Won the 2019 North & South Women’s Amateur Championship in Pinehurst, N.C.
  • Competed in the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open at the Country Club of Charleston in Charleston, S.C.
  • Played tennis at an international level for eight years before starting golf at age 15
  • Both of her parents, Ray Ruffels and Anna-Maria Fernandez, played tennis professionally
  • Her older brother, Ryan, currently competes as a professional golfer on various tours
  • Road to the Quarterfinals
    • Shot 72-71—143 in stroke play to earn the No. 6 seed
    • R64: Def. Kajal Mistry, 3 and 2
    • R32: Def. Lei Ye, 2 up
    • R16: Def. Teresa Toscano Borrero, 4 and 2

 

 

/by