Murphy Wins Chattanooga Women’s Amateur Championship

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Mercer University women’s golf standout Mary Alice Murphy overcame a two-shot deficit entering the final round of competition to win the 2011 Chattanooga Women’s Amateur Championship at the Creek's Bend Golf Club.

“I try to treat every round as just one day on the golf course,” said Murphy, who will be a sophomore at Mercer in the fall. “If you put too much pressure on yourself, then you freak out.

“For three days I played very consistent and hit my targets, which is my focus for this summer.”

Murphy shot a 3-under-par round of 207 — including a 1-under 69 on Wednesday — to win by one stroke over Jordan Britt, a University of Tennessee at Chattanooga sophomore, and top third place Emily Javadi by four strokes.

Murphy began the round down two strokes to Britt. Britt added to her lead by chipping in for a birdie on No. 14, but immediately gave the shot back to Murphy with a bogey on No. 15 after her approach came up short.

Then came the crucial three-shot swing on the par-5 16th, which was the 52nd hole of the tournament. Britt pushed her tee shot right and out of bounds for a two-stroke penalty and a double-bogey. Murphy seized the moment and rolled in a 16-foot downhill birdie putt. In a matter of minutes she went from two strokes down to one stroke ahead.

They both carded pars on No. 17. That set up drama on the last hole as the gallery swelled and Murphy clung to her one-stroke advantage with both competitors on the green.

Murphy would settle on a par. She then stood on the 18th green to watch how Britt would fare on a 15-foot birdie attempt. If it dropped, they would head to a playoff. If not, Murphy would claim the championship.

Britt’s putt came to rest a foot short of the hole and Murphy celebrated her championship run.