McKoan Steals the Show at Pelican Golf Club
BELLEAIR, Fla. – Emma McKoan was crowned champion at the 65th Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship through three rounds of a changing leaderboard at Pelican Golf Club. McKoan captured the victory at 3-under par with rounds of 69-68-70.
The final round saw fluctuating fortunes among the leaders. Hannah Hall, initially the sole leader, encountered early challenges with a double bogey on the second hole, which opened the door for Sara Vitasek to briefly take the lead. However, Hall responded strongly with a birdie on the fourth hole, and the lead became shared among Hall, Vitasek, and eventual champion Emma McKoan as they approached the seventh hole. Hanging two strokes behind was Katelyn Huber, Gabriella Albert, and Olivia Hasselbach, who were sitting 1-under overall.
Following a 3-hour rain delay, McKoan managed a steady even-par performance on the back-nine, positioning herself well going into the clubhouse. As the round progressed, tensions heightened with critical bogeys and birdies shaping the leaderboard. Hasselbach found water on eighteen where she would finish with a bogey for a final round of 67 (-2). Ultimately, a playoff ensued between McKoan and Hall after both players finished tied at the top.
The playoff started on the 18th hole, where Hall drew the honor. Hitting it right of the fairway, her ball found water, yet it was nothing that she couldn’t handle. With a magnificent shot situating herself pin-high, Hall saved par which would send them to the second playoff hole off of tee #10.
The playoff ended after two holes where Hall made bogey while McKoan had a tap-in par to clinch the victory. Hall finished in second place with a 207 (70-66-71). In a tie for third was Ava Zhang, Gabriella Albert, and Olivia Hasselbach with a total of 2-under.
When asked what this victory means, McKoan answered “It means the world to me. I’m so excited to go to California, and it just makes me feel really good because the field was amazing this year and the fact I played really well just…it just means the world to me.”
Emma McKoan completed a remarkable sweep by securing both the overall championship and the title in the 13-15 division. Her victory earned her a spot at the 75th U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, scheduled for July 15-20 at El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California.
