Defending state champion Audrey Ryu of Dublin Jerome caps AJGA victory with eagle
As Dublin Jerome girls golfer Audrey Ryu prepares to defend her Division I state title, she’s enjoying success nationally in American Junior Golf Association events.
Ryu, a rising senior, won the AJGA Dana Incorporated Junior Open, which was held July 19-21 at Sylvania Country Club.
She shot an even-par, 216 over the three rounds, capped by a 69 on the final day. She closed the tournament by sinking an eagle, using a 7-iron from 140 yards on hole No. 18.
“The conditions were really tough (on the final day),” Ryu said. “It was really windy. Everyone was struggling and I was having a good day. I was ahead of the field, so I probably could have parred out on the final hole and still won. That 18th hole is one of the hardest holes on the course. It definitely helped.”
An epic shot clinches an epic opportunity@JeromeLadyGolf senior and defending Ohio state champion Audrey Ryu dunks an eagle with a 7-iron from 140 on 18, winning the @AJGAGolf #DanaIncJr and earning an exemption to play @danaopenlpga Labor Day Weekend
She even called it ⬇️🔊 pic.twitter.com/KzqdMCfuZ4— Joel Sebastianelli (@JJSebastianelli) July 21, 2022
Ryu finished four strokes ahead of Grace Wang, Kathryn Ha and Elyssa Abdullah and earned an exemption into the LPGA Dana Open, which is scheduled for Aug. 29-Sept. 4 at Highland Meadows in Sylvania.
Ryu, who has amateur status, will compete against professionals from the LPGA. The tournament was first played in 1984.
“This will be one of the biggest tournaments I’ve ever played in,” Ryu said. “It would be great if I knew in the future I would be playing in bigger tournaments, but this is definitely a huge step. ... It’s a great opportunity.”
Jerome coach C.D. Butcher believes Ryu is ready for the step up in competition.
“This tournament is pretty big,” Butcher said. “It’s credit from her success over the last couple of years and it’s a sacrifice. She’s putting in her whole summer traveling around, giving up her free time. It’s nice to be paid off in that respect. They play these tournaments to get better and it’s an opportunity to play with professionals.
“I don’t think LPGA events were on her radar, but it’s well deserved. She’s no stranger to good competition. It can only help your mental game when you know you have competed with some of the best in the country and you’re holding your own.”
Ryu was named ThisWeek’s Girls Golfer of the Year for the 2021-22 school year and is a finalist for USA Today’s national Girls Golfer of Year, which will be announced July 31.
fdirenna@thisweeknews.com
@ThisWeekFrank
This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Dublin Jerome's Audrey Ryu caps AJGA victory with eagle
