Jennifer wins historic first Augusta National women’s title

AUGUSTA: American Jennifer Kupcho became the first woman to capture a championship at former all-male enclave Augusta National Golf Club, outdueling Mexico’s Maria Fassi on Saturday to win at the famed home of the Masters.

In a dramatic battle between two 21year-old US collegiate stars, Jennifer had three birdies and an eagle in the last six holes in firing a five-under par 67 to finish 54 holes on 10-under 206 for a four-stroke victory over Maria, who fired her third consecutive 70.

“It’s just amazing. It’s just great to be able to do that,” Jennifer said. “It’s a feeling I can’t describe.”

Japanese teen Yuka Yasuda and Yuka Saso of the Philippines shared a distant third on 214.

The amateur tournament was the first women’s trophy ever contested at Augusta National, which opened in 1933 but didn’t admit its first female members until 2012.

A field of 72 played the first 36 holes at nearby Champions Retreat before the top 30 advanced to the last 18 holes at the famed Masters layout.

Women’s world amateur number one Jennifer, the reigning US college champion, and Fassi, last year’s US women’s college golfer of the year, staged a dramatic duel in a historic moment.

Deadlocked with three holes to play, Jennifer sank a tense six-foot birdie putt at the par-3 16th while Maria missed a short par putt, leaving the American two shots ahead. Both parred 17 and Maria made bogey at 18 before Jennifer concluded with a roar-raising 20-foot birdie putt.

Jennifer received the champion’s trophy in Butler Cabin, where Masters winners are presented with green jackets, and Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley told her, “You’re part of Augusta National history now.”