Tadokoro advances to 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur with a second place qualifying finish
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas sophomore Sera Tadokoro finished at an even 72 to tie for second place at one of 23 sectional qualifying sites for the 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur Wednesday afternoon at Lawrence’s Eagle Bend Golf Course. Tadokoro tied 2012 KU women’s golf graduate, Katy (Nugent) Winters, who also shot a 72 in the one-round qualifier.
Tadokoro used birdies on the second, third and fourth holes to jump out to an early lead at the Lawrence sectional and went on to make the turn at three under par. On the back nine, Tadokoro turned in a birdie on the 11th hole. As temperatures hovered over 100 degrees in the afternoon, she battled the course and the heat to post a three-over 39 to break even and finish in a tie for second.
“We are so excited for Sera to earn a spot to play in the Women’s Am,” said Kansas women’s golf head coach Erin O’Neil. “It is one of the best events you can ever compete in as a top level golfer. It will be a wonderful opportunity for her to experience competing against the best amateurs in the world on a first class course which will help elevate her game to the next level.”
Winters broke even at 36 on the front nine, collecting birdies on holes seven and eight. She birdied the 11th and shot par over the next five holes before double-bogeying on 17. She came through with a birdie on the 18th hole to tie Tadokoro at 72 and advance to the U.S. Women’s Amateur with her second-place finish.
“The icing on the cake was having Katy also qualify today,” said O’Neil. “She literally just got her amateur status back a few days ago and I can’t think of a better event to start with for your first time back. We are looking forward to watching all of our Jayhawks compete in Nashville this August.”
Tadokoro and Winters will head to Kingston Springs, Tennessee for the 2018 U.S. Women’s Amateur where they will play at the Golf Course of Tennessee. The tournament will run from Aug. 6-12.
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