LOS ANGELES — After a grueling Thursday at Bel-Air Country Club, the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur is down to eight vying for the Robert Cox Trophy.
After Thursday morning’s Round of 32, winners were back on the course in the afternoon battling in the Round of 16, and eight golfers punched their ticket into the quarterfinals, which begin Friday.
Although the top-five finishers from stroke play were gone by Thursday afternoon, there was no shortage of stars battling it out in Los Angeles, and a few of them advanced to the quarterfinals. Among those include a past United States Golf Association champion, an Augusta National Women’s Amateur winner and an NCAA individual champ.
However, there are numerous others looking for their breakout performance just down the road from Hollywood.
U.S. Women’s Amateur: Photos
Here’s a look at all eight quarterfinalists at the U.S. Women’s Amateur, as well as Friday matchups and TV information.
No. 16 Catherine Rao
Catherine Rao, a sophomore at Princeton, was 1 down standing on the 18th tee, and she won the hole with a birdie to force extras. Then on the first extra hole, the par-5 first, Rao made another birdie, knocking off Catie Craig in 19 holes to move on.
Craig beat top-seeded Briana Chacon in the Round of 32 on Thursday morning.
No. 9 Rachel Heck
Rachel Heck came into the week not having any expectations. In her seventh U.S. Women’s Amateur, she’s into the quarterfinals for the second time.
Heck took control early and held on, beating 15-year-old Nikki Oh 4 and 3. Heck has been finding her form, not knowing how good of golf she could play this week. Having her father, Robert, on the bag has been a big help.
“He just knows me so well obviously because he’s my dad,” Heck said. “That’s why like I just feel so comfortable having him on bag. He knows me, he knows my game, he knows how to talk to me when I get frustrated.
“We just have fun out there. Most of the time we’re not talking about golf at all. We’re sharing funny stories, catching up on life. Because there is not a whole lot of time I get to spend five hours with my dad, so it’s nice to catch up.”
No. 45 Latanna Stone
Stone had the comeback of the day Thursday. She was 5 down to 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion Yana Wilson after seven holes but bounced back and forced extras. On the first extra hole, she missed a 2-foot putt to win. However, she held on and was able to win on the par-4 second hole, the 20th of the match, after mashing a drive nearly 300 yards and burying a 30-foot birdie putt.
“It was a tough match,” Stone said. “We both played really well out there. I’m happy to be in the quarterfinals. It’s exciting.”
Stone has knocked out two of the top three ranked players in the field (No. 7 Rachel Kuehn and No. 10 Amari Avery) and now the rising Wilson in the first three rounds.
No. 53 Thienna Huyhn
Thienna Huyhn, who won the 2022 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball, is the lone USGA champion remaining in the field. She took control early against incoming LSU freshman Taylor Riley, winning the second hole and never losing one to win 4 and 3.
“I would definitely say my game changes a lot when I go into match play because I’m the kind of person that doesn’t like to worry about scores,” Huyhn said. “I kind of like to go hole by hole, shot by shot.”
The rising sophomore at UNLV said she has been good this week about dismissing bad shots and building off good ones.
“I don’t really have any expectation like when I play, so I don’t think — I mean, it’s cool getting this far, but there is a lot more golf left, too.”
No. 18 Kyra Ly
Kyra Ly was 3 down with seven holes to play, but the rising sophomore at Oregon State won three of her next four holes and then held on to win 1 up against Lauren Lehigh.
No. 7 Hailey Borja
Hailey Borja is content with playing boring golf and hitting fairways and greens because it’s working.
The fifth-year at Michigan is on to the quarterfinals after her 3 and 2 win against incoming USC freshman Bailey Shoemaker. Borja took the lead on the first hole and was up by as much as 4 at two points during the match, winning seven of the 16 holes.
No. 46 Anna Davis
Anna Davis, the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 5 in WAGR, is in the quarterfinals in her first U.S. Women’s Amateur.
After losing the first hole Thursday afternoon to Duke senior Anne Chen, Davis won four of the next five holes and won three more down the stretch to top Chen 4 and 3.
“I think in the first two rounds of stroke play I was very nervous the way I was hitting it because it was not pretty. I think was just tired,” Davis said. “I’m feeling a little bit more well-rested and just swinging it a lot smoother and experience better. I feel good, putting is good, so I think everything feels very consistent right now. So I think that’s kind of what I need.”
Davis, the 2022 ANWA champ, has her twin brother, Billy, on the bag this week.
“We’ve definitely had our ups and downs with him caddying,” Davis said. “Probably my fault. I can be kind of mean. I think it’s been going well so far this week. Just kind of keeps me loose so it’s nice.”
No. 6 Megan Schofill
Megan Schofill had to go to extra holes to win, but she did so with a par on the 19th hole. However, she won three of the first four holes and held the lead until the 18th hole when Caitlin Peirce made birdie to send the match to extra holes.
Schofill is the highest-seeded player remaining in the field. If Peirce would’ve won, she would’ve been the lowest-seeded player in the field.
“I’m really happy I was able to advance, but there was a lot of up and downs,” Schofill said. “Really fun, but really tough (match).”
Friday matchups
No. 16 Catherine Rao vs. No. 9 Rachel Heck, 5:10 p.m. ET
No. 45 Latanna Stone vs. No. 53 Thienna Huyhn, 5:20 p.m. ET
No. 18 Kyra Ly vs. No. 7 Hailey Borja, 5:30 p.m. ET
No. 46 Anna Davis vs. No. 6 Megan Schofill, 5:40 p.m. ET
Schedule/TV information
Friday, Aug. 11 (Quarterfinals)
6-9 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
Saturday, Aug. 12 (Semifinals)
3-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
Sunday, Aug. 13 (Championship match)
7-10 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
