Fort Worth, Texas – The final round of the 2023 Kathy Whitworth Invitational started cool with temperatures in the mid-40’s but quickly warmed up to the high 50s in the afternoon with not nearly as strong of winds as the day before.
In an unprecedented turn of events, seven players were tied for the lead after the first round, including Annika Ishiyama, Chloe Kovelesky, Natalie Yen, Ellen Yu, Lauryn Finley, Honorine Nobuta Ferry, and Emma Von Hoffmann.
Sophomore Natalie Yen quickly jumped ahead of the competition by making birdie on holes 1 and 3, followed by an impressive eagle on hole 6, a 577-yard par 5. She bogeyed hole 8 and finished the front nine with an impressive 3-under par 32. The West Linn, Oregon native’s back 9 included three bogeys and two birdies to put her at a smooth 2-under par 69. Despite being a little nervous going into the final round, Yen remained focused and won the Kathy Whitworth Invitational by one-stroke.
“I’m always nervous when I have something that I care about, but that gives you all the more incentive to go out there and try your hardest and do your best.”
Natalie played in last year’s Invitational and finished T11. She recalls having the chance to meet Kathy and how much that meant to her.
“It means quite a lot (to win), but obviously, it’s bittersweet,” said Yen, commenting on the absence of Kathy. Fortunately, she had the chance to meet her during last year’s event.
Annika Ishiyama, of Costa Mesa, CA, finished alone in second place with rounds of 72-70 for a two-day total of even par 142. The junior has already committed to play at the University of Houston. Yurang Li of Fullerton, CA, finished in third with a two-day total of 143. Chloe Kovelesky of Boca Raton, FL, finished in fourth with a two-day total of 144. Dallas native Adrienne Ahn and 2021 / 2022 KWI champion Bailey Shoemaker tied for 5th with rounds of 74 and 71 for two-day totals of 145.
Following the players today were several college coaches, including TCU, the University of Washington, LSU, and others, and 6-time LPGA tournament champion Pat Hurst.
Cindy Adams, Laura Bley, Christina Cung, Chandra Geren, Cathy Harbin, Phyllis Kwedar, Gail Lokey, Bettye Odle, Jennifer Sweeny, Hallie Vasseur, and Tammy Walton make up the Kathy Whitworth Invitational committee.
The Kathy Whitworth Invitational has become the prestigious event that it is because of the support from our very generous sponsors. This event is possible with the many volunteers and staff at Mira Vista Country Club, including Head Golf Professional Courtney Connell (@connellconnell), Brad Mancha, Corey Clarkin, Lyndsey Adams, Golf Course Superintendent Joseph Danton, Layla, and the entire golfing staff. Thank you to General Manager Greg Hatch, MaryEllen Ford, Andre Rossotti, Andreas Moustakas, and Eddie Meyer for leading the charge with the many USGA & TGA rules officials and the countless volunteers who came out to support this event.
Host Course: Mira Vista Country Club is hosting the prestigious championship for the 24th year. Mira Vista is a unique 18-hole championship designed by golf professional Tom Weiskopf and golf course architect Jay Morrish. The par-71 course is playing just over 6200 yards for the girls.
AGA PBE: Top 3 – Fully Exempt, Top 5 – 12 Performance Stars, Top 10 – 8 Performance Stars, Top 15 – 4 Performance Stars
Next Up: Natalie Yen earned an exemption to play in The Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America October 2-8, 2023, at The Golf Clubs at The Tribute in The Colony, TX. Please visit AscendantLPGA.com for more information on this tournament.
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