EVANS, Ga. – Paula Schulz-Hanssen gave herself the right 19th birthday current on Friday.
A tee time at Augusta Nationwide.
The German (who has dedicated to play at Arizona State) two-putted for par on the fourth playoff gap to earn the one and solely spot from a four-person playoff on the Augusta Nationwide Ladies’s Beginner.
Although each participant within the 72-player discipline can play a apply spherical Friday on the dwelling of the Masters, solely the highest 30 are assured a spot Saturday for the third and ultimate spherical.
Full-field scores from the Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Schulz-Hanssen knew that each one too properly. Final 12 months, she missed the minimize and performed the apply spherical for enjoyable, not preparation.
“I feel like now I really have to concentrate and write down a few things,” she mentioned.
At close by Champions Retreat, Schulz-Hanssen was in a 4-for-1 playoff together with Arizona State’s Alexander Forsterling, Vanderbilt’s Auston Kim and Virginia’s Amanda Sambach, all of whom completed 36 holes at 6-over 150.
Every of the 4 gamers made par on the opening playoff gap, with Schulz-Hanssen having the most effective take a look at birdie from inside 10 toes.
Fosterling was the primary participant eradicated, after she didn’t rise up and down from behind the inexperienced on the second additional gap. Kim then missed the inexperienced on the par-3 17th (the third playoff gap) and made bogey, leaving the stage to Schulz-Hanssen, an completed newbie in Germany, and Sambach, one of many nation’s prime freshmen.
After each gamers laid up on the par-5 18th, Sambach couldn’t hold her quick method on the higher tier, ripping it again to the entrance of the inexperienced and leaving a difficult 40-footer. Schulz-Hanssen’s wedge shot bounced and got here to relaxation inside 10 toes, giving her a transparent benefit.
Sambach left her birdie putt 6 toes quick after which lipped out the par attempt, clearing the best way for Schulz-Hanssen to advance.
“I was so nervous, but I just tried not to think too much about it,” Schulz-Hanssen mentioned. “I didn’t make any big mistakes. I think that was the key.”
Schulz-Hanssen had seven holes to complete on Friday morning after the second spherical was delayed due to heavy rain. She three-putted twice and signed for a disappointing 76.
Not that that mattered an hour later, after she’d secured a tee time for the ultimate day.
“That’s, like, a great present for myself,” she mentioned. “I’m very excited, and I’m very proud.”
