Defending champ Kang, Jutanugarn advance to final

Published November 20, 2014

Defending champion Danielle Kang and Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn advanced to the U.S. Women's Amateur final Saturday at Rhode Island Country Club.

Kang, the 18-year-old Pepperdine star from Westlake Village, Calif., beat University of Alabama player Brooke Pancake, from Chattanooga, Tenn., 1-up.

The 17-year-old Jutanugarn edged LSU's Austin Ernst, the NCAA champion from Seneca, S.C., 1-up.

Kang is trying to become the first player to win two years in a row since Kelli Kuehne in 1995-96.

"If I win, I am pretty convinced that I am ready to go (pro)," Kang said. "It would be three amateur (victories) in a row for me going back to last year's (Women's) Amateur. "

Jutanugarn, the low amateur last month in the U.S. Women's Open, is attempting to become the fourth Thai-born player to win a USGA championship. Her 15-year-old sister, Ariya, won the U.S. Girls' Junior two weeks ago, and has served as Moriya's caddie since being eliminated in the second round Thursday.

The 36-hole final is Sunday.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/defending-champ-kang-jutanugarn-advance-to-final