NAPLES, Fla. — University of Iowa women’s golfer Sophie Liu earned a spot in the 2016 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships on Thursday. The incoming freshman carded a two-under-par 69 to claim co-medalist honors in the qualifier at the Kensington Golf and Country Club in Naples, Florida.
Liu was one of two golfers to finish under par in the one-day qualifier. She becomes the second Hawkeye to qualify for the 2016 U.S. Women’s Amateur. Junior Jessica Ip qualified for the event on June 27, following a second-place finish at the Brampton Golf Club in Ontario, Canada, on June 27.
“Last year I qualified and played for the U.S. Girls, so my goal for this year was to qualify and compete in the U.S. Amateur and I accomplished that,” said Liu. “It was a year-long goal that took a lot of work, but I’m happy to have made it. It was a very competitive field, so to be co-medalist is amazing. I am very eager to compete at the U.S. Amateur in August.”
Liu, the 2015 Florida State (3A) runner-up (-4; 140), guided Viera High School to a third-place finish at the state tournament. She was tied for first after 36 holes before being awarded second after a one-hole playoff.
The Vancouver, British Columbia, native was the 2015 Cape Coast Conference individual champion. She also owns school records for the lowest season average (72.0) and highest finish at a state competition (second).
The 2016 U.S. Women’s Amateur is set for Aug. 1-7 at the Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pennsylvania.
