Lakareber Abe beats qualifying medalist Bethany Wu in US Women's Amateur
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Lakareber Abe beat qualifying medalist Bethany Wu 6 and 4 on Wednesday in the first round of the U.S. Women's Amateur at Nassau Country Club.
The 18-year-old Abe, an Alabama recruit from Angleton, Texas, is trying to become the first black female individual champion in U.S. Golf Association history. Last year, she finished second in the U.S. Girls' Junior.
The 17-year-old Wu is from Diamond Bar, California.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Abe will face Hannah O'Sullivan of Paradise Valley, Arizona, on Thursday. The 16-year-old O'Sullivan beat Mexico's Gaby Lopez 2 up.
Defending champion Emma Talley, the 20-year-old University of Alabama player from Princeton, Kentucky, edged Jiyoon Jang of Rancho Mirage, California, in 19 holes. Talley set up a second-round match with Princess Mary Superal, the 17-year-old Filipino player who won the U.S. Girls' Junior last month. Superal beat Raegan Bremer of Anaheim, California, 3 and 1.
Brooke Mackenzie Henderson, the 16-year-old Canadian who was the low amateur in the U.S. Women's Open, routed Mika Liu of Beverly Hills, California, 7 and 5.