KU's Powers Eliminated At U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links

June 24, 2009

DEVENS, Mass. – After earning a spot in match play by advancing from a playoff, Kansas senior-to-be Emily Powers lost in the first round of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links on Wednesday.

Powers fell to top seed Stephanie Kono 4&3 despite playing very good golf in the opening round. In fact, Powers was just one over par through the 15 holes played on the day.

Each of the four holes Powers lost occurred when Kono recorded a birdie. Powers recorded a birdie of her own on the sixth hole, but that was matched by Kono as the players halved that hole.

After the two players tied the first two holes, Kono won the third hole with a birdie on the 152-yard par three. The two players then halved each of the next eight holes as Kono led by one hole through 11 holes. On the 352-yard par-four 12th hole, Kono carded another birdie, while Powers recorded a bogey five.

Kono then birdied the next hole to beat Powers’ par as she went up three holes with four to play. After both players recorded pars on number 14, Kono closed out the match with a birdie on the 179-yard 15th hole as Powers made par.

This was the third straight year Powers, a Quincy, Ill. native played in the event. Last year she advanced to the round of 16.