Aug. 4, 2016

SPRINGFIELD, Pa. – South Carolina women’s golfer Katelyn Dambaugh concluded play at the 116^th U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship on Thursday, as the rising senior fell, 2&1, to Nasa Hataoka in the round of 16. Dambaugh’s week at Rolling Green Golf Club ended with two match-play victories and a fifth-place finish during the tournament’s stroke play portion.

After advancing to the 64-player match-play bracket, fifth-seeded Dambaugh moved past No. 60 Aurora Khan, 4&3, in Wednesday’s opening round before continuing play on Thursday. She drew No. 28 seed Kristen Gillman in this morning’s round of 32 in a contest that featured a rematch of last month’s 114^th Women’s North & South Amateur championship match. Dambaugh came out on top this time, converting a key birdie on No. 15 on the way to a 2&1 win.

The match between Dambaugh and Hataoka remained tight throughout the afternoon. Hataoka grabbed the early lead following a birdie on No. 2, but the No. 12 seed was unable to create much distance the rest of the way. After Dambaugh carded a birdie on No. 15 to get within one, Hataoka answered with a birdie on No. 16 before halving the par-5 17^th to secure the victory.

South Carolina signee Anita Uwadia was also in action at the U.S. Women’s Amateur. She opened the week with a 2-under 69 and posted a 74 (+2) in round two to finish in a tie for 39^th and earn a spot in match play as the No. 43 seed. Uwadia fell to 22^nd-seeded Danielle Lemek, 6&4, in the round of 64.

Dambaugh, Uwadia and the Gamecocks will open their 2016-17 season at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate (Sept. 25-27). The 54-hole event in Reunion, Fla., is set to take place at the Watson Course. South Carolina’s full fall slate can be found Here.