GOLF, Ill. (July 18, 2019) – Ela Belen Anacona of Buenos Aires, Argentina, battled her way to medalist honors at the 119th Women’s Western Amateur on Thursday, posting a 36-hole total of 2-under 142 at Royal Melbourne Country Club.
The incoming University of Arkansas freshman was tied for third after the first round of stroke play Tuesday. She played her way into first on Wednesday, then maintained her place through three weather delays.
When play was suspended for good at 4:14 p.m. on Wednesday, Anacona had five holes left to play in her second round. Play resumed Thursday at 12:30 p.m.
“I had fun today. I played some good golf,” said Anacona, 18. “It’s windy and wet, the conditions were tough.”
Anacona said she is looking forward to focusing on match play for the rest of the week.
“It’s a new tournament now, so I just want to focus,” she said.
Tess Hackworthy of Madison, Wisconsin, finished second at 1-under par. Antonia Matte of Santiago, Chile, and Julie Houston of Allen, Texas, tied for third at even par.
The low 32 qualifiers began match play Thursday afternoon.
Contestants from 30 states and 12 countries are vying for the W. A. Alexander Cup, which was first presented in 1901 in honor of his wife Maude Alexander, the first president of the Women’s Western Golf Association.
The list of past champions spans more than a century, from legendary stars Patty Berg (1938, 1946, 1947), Nancy Lopez (1976), Beth Daniel (1978) and Cristie Kerr (1994) to modern stars such as Brittany Lang (2003), Stacy Lewis (2006) and Ariya Jutanugarn (2012).