University of Tennessee Athletics
Davis Concludes Remarkable Run at U.S. Girls’ Junior with Runner-Up Finish
July 17, 2021 | Women's Golf
CHEVY CHASE, Md. – Incoming Tennessee freshman Bailey Davis concluded an impressive run at the U.S. Girls' Junior with a runner-up finish Saturday.
The tournament, held at the Columbia Country Club just 30 miles from Davis' hometown of White Plains, Maryland, served as the 72nd playing of the event and was Davis' third appearance in a USGA Championship.
A pair of stroke play rounds on Monday and Tuesday in which Bailey totaled an even-par (140) score, landed her in the No. 3 seed for the 64-player match play tournament.
"This week has been the highlight of my golf career," Davis said. "My golf game is in a really good place right now and I am so excited for what's in store for the future. Making it to the championship match means everything to me. I played so well this entire week and even in the final match, Rose just played better. She is a very talented player and I'm grateful to have been in that position.
"I feel honored and blessed that so many young girls were able to watch me on tv this week, especially the African American community. I want them to look at me and believe in themselves because they see someone of their color accomplishing goals they may have one day."
Davis demonstrated great poise throughout the week, including during Saturday's championship match against No. 1 Rose Zhang.
The two were tied following three par-4's to open the match, before Zhang took a two up advantage after hole five. Davis won holes six and nine to bring the match back to a tie.
Zhang was one up after 14 holes but won three of the final four holes in the first round to take a four up advantage halfway through the championship match.
The second round of the day began with a birdie for Davis on the 19th hole of the match, narrowing Zhang's lead to three up. A tie was recorded on eight of the succeeding 11 holes, before play was suspended for over three hours due to inclement weather.
Once play resumed, Zhang, ranked No. 1 in the women's amateur golf rankings, birdied the ensuing hole to clinch the match.
"I had so much fun watching Bailey compete this week," head coach Diana Cantu said. "There were several times during her rounds where her play gave me goosebumps. She was consistent, poised and carried herself very well. I loved seeing her wear Tennessee gear during the week and I couldn't have asked for a better experience for her before she heads to Tennessee in less than a month.
"I look forward to being her coach and seeing her infectious smile daily. Bailey's game is solid and her ball striking was phenomenal this week. Once we get her on campus, I believe she will continue to mature, learn about her game and be a strong competitor for our team."
Davis' road to the championship match began during Wednesday's round of 64 which saw Davis defeat No. 62 Chloe Johnson. Tied at the turn, the match was again tied after four of the back nine holes, including 16, 17 and 18. Davis' first lead of the match came on a tie-breaking 19th hole where she made a 70-yard eagle to advance to the round of 32.
In Thursday's round of 32, Davis claimed a 4&3 victory over No. 30 Chloe Lam by winning four of the match's final six holes.
During Thursday's afternoon session, Davis handled No. 14 Camille Boyd in the round of 16, winning by a final score of 4&3. After tying each of the first two holes, Davis won six of the ensuing seven holes to take a six up advantage heading to the back nine and clinched the match at the conclusion of the 15th hole.
Davis took down No. 6 Karen Tsuru in the quarterfinal round, 3&2 on Friday, jumping out to a five up advantage through the opening 10 holes.
The Friday afternoon round resulted in Davis advancing to the championship match by making a long birdie putt to win in thrilling fashion, one up over No. 58 Katie Li.
Davis will compete in the 2021 U.S. Women's Amateur next month, beginning August 2 in Rye, New York.
The tournament, held at the Columbia Country Club just 30 miles from Davis' hometown of White Plains, Maryland, served as the 72nd playing of the event and was Davis' third appearance in a USGA Championship.
A pair of stroke play rounds on Monday and Tuesday in which Bailey totaled an even-par (140) score, landed her in the No. 3 seed for the 64-player match play tournament.
"This week has been the highlight of my golf career," Davis said. "My golf game is in a really good place right now and I am so excited for what's in store for the future. Making it to the championship match means everything to me. I played so well this entire week and even in the final match, Rose just played better. She is a very talented player and I'm grateful to have been in that position.
"I feel honored and blessed that so many young girls were able to watch me on tv this week, especially the African American community. I want them to look at me and believe in themselves because they see someone of their color accomplishing goals they may have one day."
Davis demonstrated great poise throughout the week, including during Saturday's championship match against No. 1 Rose Zhang.
The two were tied following three par-4's to open the match, before Zhang took a two up advantage after hole five. Davis won holes six and nine to bring the match back to a tie.
Zhang was one up after 14 holes but won three of the final four holes in the first round to take a four up advantage halfway through the championship match.
The second round of the day began with a birdie for Davis on the 19th hole of the match, narrowing Zhang's lead to three up. A tie was recorded on eight of the succeeding 11 holes, before play was suspended for over three hours due to inclement weather.
Once play resumed, Zhang, ranked No. 1 in the women's amateur golf rankings, birdied the ensuing hole to clinch the match.
"I had so much fun watching Bailey compete this week," head coach Diana Cantu said. "There were several times during her rounds where her play gave me goosebumps. She was consistent, poised and carried herself very well. I loved seeing her wear Tennessee gear during the week and I couldn't have asked for a better experience for her before she heads to Tennessee in less than a month.
"I look forward to being her coach and seeing her infectious smile daily. Bailey's game is solid and her ball striking was phenomenal this week. Once we get her on campus, I believe she will continue to mature, learn about her game and be a strong competitor for our team."
Davis' road to the championship match began during Wednesday's round of 64 which saw Davis defeat No. 62 Chloe Johnson. Tied at the turn, the match was again tied after four of the back nine holes, including 16, 17 and 18. Davis' first lead of the match came on a tie-breaking 19th hole where she made a 70-yard eagle to advance to the round of 32.
In Thursday's round of 32, Davis claimed a 4&3 victory over No. 30 Chloe Lam by winning four of the match's final six holes.
During Thursday's afternoon session, Davis handled No. 14 Camille Boyd in the round of 16, winning by a final score of 4&3. After tying each of the first two holes, Davis won six of the ensuing seven holes to take a six up advantage heading to the back nine and clinched the match at the conclusion of the 15th hole.
Davis took down No. 6 Karen Tsuru in the quarterfinal round, 3&2 on Friday, jumping out to a five up advantage through the opening 10 holes.
The Friday afternoon round resulted in Davis advancing to the championship match by making a long birdie putt to win in thrilling fashion, one up over No. 58 Katie Li.
Davis will compete in the 2021 U.S. Women's Amateur next month, beginning August 2 in Rye, New York.
Players Mentioned
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