The ANNIKA Invitational is known for its dramatic endings.
There are 72 top female junior golfers around the world, 16 of which are in the Rolex AJGA Rankings. They will be competing for the title at Eagle Creek Golf Club, Orlando, Florida. This is where fireworks and spectacular finishes are the norm, rather than an exception.
This was Tuesday’s case when Ashleen Kaur and Katie Li fought a memorable back-nine duel. The outcome wasn’t known until the last hole when Kaur won with a par-5 18th.
Zhao, a 13 year-old girl who won co-medalist honors last summer’s U.S Women’s Amateur at Chambers Bay at Chambers Bay, held a one shot lead going into the final round. She increased her lead to two after a string of three consecutive birdies on holes 6–8.
With a score of (-15.204), the @BaylorWGolf commit was crowned winner! pic.twitter.com/CJd7f8g82e
— AJGA (@AJGAGolf January 17, 2023
Kaur was tied with Katie Li, a Duke commit, and four-time Rolex Junior All-American at 14 under. Zhao was only one behind.
Zhao won a share of lead on 16 with a birdie, but Kaur and Zhao both made bogeys at 17 so Li was left with a one stroke lead on the 18th.
Kaur used her length to reach the 489 yard 18th in two. She drained her 40 foot putt for an eagle. Kaur won the title with a final round score of 69. Kaur’s 54-hole score, 15-under-204, set a new tournament scoring record of three strokes. She won the title by one stroke over Li and Zhao.
Kaur said, “It means a great deal to compete in Annika’s event,” when she was making her debut at the ANNIKA Invitational. “She was an inspiration growing up, so it’s incredible to be able to compete here and win it.”
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