Marissa Wenzler, a junior at Kentucky, became the first medalist to win the Women’s Western Amateur since Emilee Hoffman in 2018 at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, Illinois. Wenzler joined former Kentucky teammate Sarah Shipley as a Women’s Western Amateur champion. Shipley won in 2019 at Royal Melbourne Country Club in Long Grove, Illinois.

Marissa Wenzler continued her march through match play after earning medalist honors and will square off against Maddison Hinson-Tolchard, of Perth, Australia in the final of the 121st Women’s Western Amateur at Park Ridge Country Club.

Leading 2 up with two holes to play, the 19-year old Virginia sophomore needed 20 holes to beat Kennedy Pedigo, of Fort Worth, Texas. Cleary rolled in a 13-footer for birdie on No. 2, the second playoff hole, after hitting her tee ball into a bunker.

Marissa Wenzler, of Dayton, Ohio, liked Park Ridge Country Club the moment she saw the course. “I immediately texted my coach and told him I felt comfortable out here,” she said.

Lindsay May, of Auburn, New York, shot a career-best 6-under 66 on Tuesday and sits alone in first place after the first round of the 121st Women’s Western Amateur at Park Ridge Country Club. The previous record of 69 – beaten by several players on Tuesday – was held by golf legend Babe Didrikson Zaharias, who won the 1944 Women’s Western Open at Park Ridge.