Incoming freshman for MSU makes cut
2019 U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR
Incoming MSU freshman Gilliam reaches match play
WEST POINT – Ashley Gilliam has made it to the third round.
The Mississippi State incoming freshman Ashley Gilliam shot a 2-under par 70 on Tuesday to get to even for the tournament and made the cut for match play for the 119th U.S. Women's Amateur at Old Waverly.
After shooting a 74 in the first round of stroke play, Gilliam took advantage of an earlier tee time on Tuesday and had a much better second round.
“I had more putts drop and put myself in better positions off the tee,” Gilliam said. “Hopefully, I can keep it going into match play.”
Gilliam made two birdies, including one on her final hole of the day, and shot for par on every other hole during the second round to solidify her spot in the top 64. She finished stroke play tied for 21st.
This is the eighth USGA championship for Gilliam, who is a native of Manchester, Tennessee. She advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-ball Championship held earlier this year.
During Tuesday's round, Gilliam said Old Waverly played much like it did on Monday and the greens were still firm. She looks forward to getting more and more looks at the course once she becomes a Bulldog in the fall.
“It's really an honor to represent Mississippi State and I'm just really excited to be here in a few weeks,” Gilliam said.
Gilliam will tee off today at 11:40 a.m. against Katie Chipman at 11:40 a.m. in match play.
Jiarui Jin of China and Alexa Pano of Lake Worth, Florida, are tied for the lead after stroke play at 6-under 138.
A sparkling 66 was added to Jin's card on Tuesday to go with the 72 she had on the first day.
Many aspects of Jin's game led to a successful second-round run.
“My putting was really good today, and I made a lot of birdies,” Jin said. “My driver was also good. I made a lot of fairways today, which is really important for this course, and irons were also OK. That's why I played really good.”
Pano combined a 70 on the first day with a 68 on Tuesday for her 138 total.
When it came to the second round at Old Waverly, Pano used the “smart” approach.
“This isn't a course that you can attack with distance,” Pano said. “It's more like accuracy and planning out your shots ahead of time. Definitely it takes a lot of focus.”
Lauren Hartlage and Megan Schofill, both of the United States, were tied for second place with a 5-under 139.
Television coverage of match play can be found on FS1 beginning at 3 p.m.