Australian Gabi Ruffels wins prestigious US Women’s Amateur
Gabi Ruffels has made history becoming the first-ever Australian winner of the US Women’s Amateur.
One down with four holes to play in the 36-hole match play final, Ruffels reeled off birdies at the 15th, 17th and 18th to claim the prestigious trophy with a 1up victory over Switzerland’s Albane Valenzuela.
It was an epic finish and it’s well worth your time to check out the golf over the closing holes from both Ruffels and her opponent Valenzuela. Seriously great golf with clutch putting from both players.
Ruffels putt to close out the win on the final hole epic. Especially after Valenzuela had fired in her approach to five feet and looked set to tie the match.
Martin Blake at Golf Australia has the full story
Remarkably, she only took up golf at 15 having been part of the national elite programs of tennis. Both her parents, Ray and Anna Maria, were touring professional tennis players and both Gabriela and Ryan, her elder brother, were born in Florida, where the Ruffels were the tennis pros at the Isleworth community where many professional golfers reside.
They grew up in Australia however, with Ryan ultimately turning professional and going on the PGA Tour’s South American swing as well as in Canada, and Gabi has entered the American college system, studying at the University of Southern California.
Here’s how @GabiRuffels did it… an unbelievable run from the 2019 #USWomensAm champ! pic.twitter.com/Li9BTQ4Hoq
— Golf Australia (@GolfAust) August 11, 2019