Shao Clinches Centennial Crown at 100th Women’s Amateur Championship
ORADELL, N.J. –– Sarah Shao of New Jersey National Golf Club secured the 100th edition of the New Jersey Women’s Amateur Championship Thursday afternoon at Hackensack Golf Club with a commanding 7-and-6 victory in the finals against defending champion Katie Li.
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In her semifinal matchup against Vidhi Lakhawala, Shao, 18, battled through a series of ties and lead changes before making a birdie on No. 7 to go 1 up. With a key par putt on No. 12, the 177-yard par 3, Shao extended her lead to 2 up with only a few holes left to play on the back nine. Following a string of pars on holes 14,15,16 and 17, the rising sophomore out of Columbia University closed out her semifinal match 2 and 1.
“I think it was just about staying patient and staying in the moment. Not really thinking ahead or thinking too far behind myself,” Shao said.
Shao set the tone early in her final match against Li with a 4-up lead through five holes, followed by three birdies in four holes to go 6-up through No. 7. The Green Brook-native delivered a clinic on the greens, finishing out the front nine with two more par putts to finish 7 up through the turn.
“I was just mindful playing my own game,” Shao said after the final match. “Trying not to get affected by what the other person's doing and if I could make a birdie, I would try to make a birdie. But just limiting it to pars. If I was out of position, just limiting the damaging effects of that.”
After the turn, Li made a birdie on No. 10, the 468-yard par 5, to battle back to a six-hole deficit. Shao dialed in for the final two holes and delivered two pars to close out the match on No. 12.
“I'm just in a place of gratitude,” Shao said. “I'm really thankful for my parents, both of them for caddying me, my mom, caddying 36 yesterday, and my dad, 36 holes today.”
“It meant a lot because it was like a family affair,” Shao continued. “It was a bonding experience. Just shout to them. I’m super thankful and I think I owe them a lot from now on.”
Last year, Shao finished as the runner up in the 70th Junior Girls’ Championship against Aphrodite Deng at Mercer Oaks Golf Course East. Shao also competed in the 75th U.S. Girls’ Junior and the Girl’s Junior PGA Championship last summer. This year, the win clinches her a spot in the 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, set for Aug. 4-10 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon.
“I'm just happy, thankful and excited for Bandon Dunes,” Shao said. “I'm super excited for the opportunity to play in the U.S. Women’s Am.”
Semifinal Results
Katie Li def. Reese Hannon, 5 and 4
Sarah Shao def. Vidhi Lakhawala, 2 and 1
Final Results
Sarah Shao def. Katie Li, 7 and 6
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