East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State rising senior women’s golfer Shannon Kennedy won the final two holes and claimed the championship in the 109th Michigan Women’s Amateur, run by the Golf Association of Michigan, at Plum Hollow Country Club in Southfield, just outside of Detroit.
Kennedy, who has played in the last two NCAA Championships for the Spartans, won five-straight matches over three days to claim the win in the Michigan Amateur.
“There were definitely a lot of emotions coming off 18,” Kennedy said afterward. “I had nerves pretty much all day but was able to keep control and execute the way that I needed to. When she conceded that putt to me, I kind of let loose, hugging my dad and looking over to see all my family and friends here. It was pretty surreal for me.”
In winning the state title, Kennedy automatically qualifies for the U.S. Amateur, which will be held from Aug. 5-11 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.
Kennedy tied for 10th place after two rounds of stroke play, carding a 12-over par 152 (78-74) on Monday and Tuesday to reach the match play portion.
She posted a 1up win in the Round of 32 on Wednesday to advance to Thursday, which included two matches. Kennedy posted 7&6 win in the Round of 16 before a 3&1 win in the quarterfinals on Thursday afternoon.
On Friday morning, she posted a 4&3 win in the semifinal, setting up the afternoon championship match.
Kennedy and Elise Fennell battled back and forth in the final match. Fennell won the first hole and took a 2-up lead after four holes, but Kennedy battled back to square the match at the turn. Fennell took a 1-hole lead twice and there were two ties heading into the final two holes. Kennedy won both the 17th and 18th holes to claim the title.
After two rounds of stroke play and five rounds of match play, Kennedy celebrated with her father, who caddied for her all week, and her family and spoke of the grind of the week.
“I actually didn’t even really know the winner got into the U.S. Am until lunch,” Kennedy said. “I was pleasantly surprised by that, but this is the way it should be, a grind. An 18-hole qualifier is different, but I can’t wait to represent Michigan State and the state of Michigan in the U.S. Am. Having this trophy is pretty sweet, but getting the chance to play with the best in the country is going to be special.”
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