Just moments after the winning putt fell in, San Jose resident Erin Le Nguyen exchanged hugs with members of her family. One of the biggest wins of her blossoming career was hers.
Still just 15 years old--and needing a ride to simply get to the course--Nguyen captured the prestigious 76th California Junior Girls' State Championship at Palo Alto Hills G&CC, defeating Kelley O' Keefe, 2 and 1, in the 18-hole final. With the win, Nguyen joins LPGA Tour winners Yealimi Noh and Christina Kim as winners of the event. Kim, by the way, also hailed from San Jose when she won.
"I think it's really cool, my name will be on the trophy forever," a beaming Nguyen said. "It's insane, it's like a cool summer thing."
A co-medalist in stroke play qualifying (with Bella Ransi), Nguyen didn't have to play the 17th hole in match play until taking on O'Keefe. In her three previous wins, Nguyen won, 4 and 2, 4 and 3 and 3 and 1, respectively.
During her week, she also rotated caddies. She used her sister early on before turning to Cole Massey, a teenage member at Palo Alto Hills. Both caddies helped her notch the victory.
"My putting was good all week, and I got a lot of help from my caddies," said the No. 2-seeded Nguyen.
She'd need it versus O'Keefe. A member of Team NorCal for the U.S. National Development Program and the No.12 seed, O'Keefe--also age 15--routinely outdrove Nguyen off the tee by 40-plus yards and jumped out to an early 2-up lead.
Through 10 holes, the two were tied, but that's when things changed. On the 12th, O'Keefe, a resident of Lodi, three-putted for a bogey to lose the hole. On the ensuing 13th, Nguyen hit her approach shot to within 3 feet, leading to birdie and a win. On No.14, Nguyen again made a birdie to take a 3-up lead with only four holes left. O'Keefe won the 16th when Nguyen made bogey, but the two tied on No.17, sealing the match.
"I am really proud of myself for sticking in there and playing my heart out," said O'Keefe, who bounced back from an opening round 80 during stroke play qualifying. "She's a really great player."Along with getting her name on the trophy, Nguyen also earned a golden ticket to this year's U.S. Girls' Junior Championship, which teed off July 13-18 at Old Chatham in North Carolina.
Whether or not her sister was going to be on the bag was unknown. But she was still surrounded by familiar faces.
"Two of my friends are going, so I was hoping I could join them," Nguyen said.
