Emma McMyler prevails at The Sally

Emma McMyler prevails at The Sally

Emma McMyler and Michelle Zhang went head-to-head for 18 holes of the South Atlantic Women’s Amateur on Saturday, with McMyler prevailing in what turned out to be a “last player standing” final round at the Oceanside Country Club in Ormond Beach, Fla.

The two players separated themselves from the field which included 96 of the top junior and collegiate players in the country who were all vying for the trophy of one of the oldest women’s amateur tournaments in the country which dates back to 1926.

McMyler, who earned BIG EAST Player and Freshman of the Year honors at Xaiver, finished a 1-under 287 to earn a one-stroke victory over Zhang, the SMU commit who is currently ranked 22nd by the American Junior Golf Association. With the victory, McMyler adds her name to a list of past Sally champions which include LPGA Tour founders and Hall of Famers Patty Berg (1938-39) and Babe Zaharias (1947) along with more present-day players such as Cristie Kerr, Brooke Henderson, Lexi Thompson, Jessica Korda and Moriya Jutanugarn.

At 4-under 212, McMyler, the reigning Texas Women’s Amateur champion, took a two-stroke lead over Zhang into the final round while their closest pursuers were seven shots off the lead. Playing together in the final group, the two players didn’t exactly stage a final round shootout, as they combined to make 10 bogeys and just five birdies on the day.

At the end of the day, McMyler’s 75, her first over-par round of the tournament, left her at 1-under 287 which was good for a one-stroke victory over Zhang, who couldn’t come up with a birdie on either of the final two holes and settled for a 74 which left her at even par 288.

Megan Schofill, who plays collegiately at Auburn, finished third at 1-over 289 while AJGA standouts Gianna Clemente and Kaitlyn Schroeder tied for fourth at 2-over 290.