Gillman Wins 2014 U.S. Women's Amateur

Kristen Gillman defeated Brooke Mackenzie Henderson in a 2-up victory in the 36-hole championship match of the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship held at the 6,297 yard, par-70 Nassau Country Club.

Gillman, 16, of Austin, Texas, was 3 down through 26 holes to Henderson, 16, of Canada. But the high school junior birdied five of the final 10 holes to complete the rally.

“I wanted to get my name on the trophy, but that’s not necessarily success for me,” said Henderson. “I played well, and I had a lot of fun this week.”

Henderson currently ranks number two in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking and low amateur at this year’s U.S. Women’s Open.

The teens are now exempt into the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open Championship, which will take place between July 9 and 12 at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania. Henderson was already exempt into the championship through an earlier tie for 10th at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club’s Course No. 2 in June. Gillman will be exempt into the next ten U.S. Women’s Amateurs, while Henderson will receive a three-year exemption.

The 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship consists of 36 holes of stroke play followed by six rounds of match play. It is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.