On Sunday, Gianna Clemente won the junior portion of the Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Course in New Jersey. This victory moved Clemente up to 46th in the Junior Golf Hub Rankings. The Estero, Florida native held on to her lead as she went into the final day, winning by two points over last year’s winner Yana Wilson.
“This win is one of my biggest accomplishments”, the 16 year old remarked at a press conference after the round. “To be able to win at a place like this, an event like this is very, very special” (via WGCU).
Clemente’s partners in her final group were LPGA No. 1 Nelly Korda, and Australia’s Hannah Green. Korda took home the win after a back and forth battle all day. Clemente recalled how fun it was to be able to play with the pros, and was able to talk to Green about college and turning pro.
The round was one of the most difficult she’s ever played, Clemente recalled. The amateur wasn’t able to play with her opponents and had to watch them from afar. “There were some tense moments where conversation was not an option” (via WGCU). But Sunday marked the end of a winning dry-spell for Clemente. “It’s been a long winter. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs so to come out and finally win one feels good” (via WGCU).
Clemente is set to take some time off from playing before competing in both the LPGA Shoprite Classic in New Jersey from June 7-9th and British Amateur in Ireland from June 24-29th.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
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