Heck, Doran Qualify for 12th U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball
SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J. –– Rachel Heck and Emilia Doran qualified for the 12th U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship following a three-hole playoff after an 18-hole qualifying round at Shackamaxon Country Club on Wednesday.
Heck entered the qualifier fresh off an appearance in the Round of 16 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, adding to an already accomplished amateur career that includes an NCAA Championship at Stanford. Doran, an NCAA Champion during her collegiate career at Wake Forest, has since moved into broadcasting and currently serves as a commentator for Golf Channel.
Heck and Doran finished regulation tied with Aditi Lakhawala and Ryland Portadin at 3-under par, setting up a playoff for the qualifying spot.
Heck and Doran put themselves in contention early with a bogey-free front nine featuring three birdies. Doran rolled in a crucial birdie on No. 6 to move the pair to 2-under before Heck added another on No. 8, sending the duo to the turn at 3-under par and tied with sisters Kate and Kayley Roberts.
A bogey on No. 10 dropped Heck and Doran back to 2-under, but the pair remained in the mix throughout the back nine and eventually finished regulation at 3-under par.
Lakhawala and Portadin took a different route to the same number. After beginning their round with seven consecutive pars, Portadin provided a spark with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 8 and 9 to send the pair to the turn at 2-under par.
The duo continued its steady play on the back nine and reached the final hole at 4-under par. A bogey on No. 18 dropped Lakhawala and Portadin to 3-under, forcing a playoff with Heck and Doran for the singular qualifying spot.
After the teams remained tied through the first two playoff holes, Doran delivered the deciding moment on the third, rolling in a birdie to secure the championship berth for her and Heck.
Heck and Doran will compete in the 12th U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Va., on May 15-19, 2027.
U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Qualifiers
Rachel Heck and Emilia Doran; (-3) 68 – playoff
Alternates
First Alternate: Aditi Lakhawala and Ryland Portadin; (-3) 68
Second Alternate: Hailey Yap and Kate Korngold
