Canada's Thibault Comes Up Short Of Making Cut At Inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur
Team Canada Member Brigitte Thibault (R) With Her Fresno State Golf Coach Emily Loftin At The Augusta National Women’s Amateur - Image Credit Kris Jonasson/BC Golf
By Kris Jonasson/British Columbia Golf
Red is a powerful colour to wear. Brigitte Thibault from Rosemere, Quebec wears it well, whether as a member of Team Canada or playing on the Fresno State Bulldog Golf Team.
Thursday was day 2 of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. It was also moving day. An opening round 79 saw Thibault sitting at 7-over but more importantly, 5 shots removed from reaching the goal of making the cut.
All 72 competitors in the inaugural event play Augusta National on Friday in what is billed as a practice round, but only the top 30 come back Saturday to finish the event.
Thibault, out in the lead group off of hole number 1 started well, making birdies at the par 5 third and the par 4 fifth. Suddenly, the goal of making the cut was no longer unreasonable.
The 6th hole at Champions Gate, where the first two rounds of the event are being held, is a par 3 measuring 165 yards. Thibault’s shot missed the green by no more than a few feet but landed right on top of a sprinkler head and careened 30 yards into the penalty area.
A well-executed up and down saved bogey for her and Thibault closed with a birdie at 9 to record a solid 2-under 34 and keep the goal alive.
Unfortunately, bunkers and bogeys on 10, 12 and 14 meant that just as quickly the dream was over. Two bad swings on number had 15 created a quadruple bogey 8 in round one, while a slight mishit and swirling winds led to another penalty area visit and a double on her now nemesis 15th on day 2. Brigitte would finish the round on a high note with a birdie on the 18th to end her day.
Thibault will still get to play at the famed Augusta National of course, but will not be part of the final group vying for the title on Saturday.
Saturday the top 30 play the final round while Saturday night all competitors attend the Chairman’s dinner.
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