ARLINGTON, TX
– Marissa Chow of Honolulu, Hawaii, captured the Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women’s Open at Rolling Hills Country Club by two strokes over 2015 champion Maddie McCrary of Wylie, Texas. Chow, a Texas Women’s Open contestant for the first time, fired a final round score of 69, 2-under par, to propel her to her victory. Chow had work to do after her opening round of 76, but carded rounds of 67 and 69 for a Championship total of 212, 1-under par.
While some of the second round leaders dropped strokes early, McCrary and third place finisher Brooke Baker of Sanford, Florida, stayed in contention throughout the tournament and put pressure on Chow. However, they both made bogey on hole #18 and could not catch Chow at the end. Round Two leader Binny Lee struggled to get things going during the final round, and finished the Championship with a score of 221, 8-over par.
With rounds of 77-69-71—217 (4-over par), amateur Hailey Jones of Dallas, Texas, finished as the Low Amateur for the Championship. The Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women’s Open adjusted its eligibility in 2017 having participants 17 years of age and younger qualify. Jones was one of the nine to qualify. Jones is committed to play collegiate golf at Oklahoma State University, but will be senior in high school this coming fall.
With her win, Marissa takes home $5,000 and, more importantly, an exemption into the LPGA Tour’s 2019 Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic.
“This win is pretty surreal. I guess this win is…I think it’s a confirmation to myself that I do still have the game to play and to be competitive, and so I think it’s a real confidence booster for me. To win the LPGA exemption is pretty cool. I’ve had the privilege to play a couple U.S. Opens, and you know, I think now having had that experience I know how to approach an LPGA tournament versus just kind of a regular one, and at the end of the day its still 18 holes of golf. You can’t make it more than it is,” Chow said.
Following yesterday’s round, the 112-player field was cut to the low 50 scores and ties. 50 players made the cut, which was at 11-over-par 153. The 50 players consisted of 32 professionals and 18 amateurs.
The 32 professionals that remained in the field competed for a share of the professional purse. The 18 amateurs competed for the Low Amateur award and a crystal trophy. The top five amateurs received gift certificates. The overall championship purse is $27,535.
The 54-hole stroke play event was conducted from May 31 through June 2 at Rolling Hills Country Club in Arlington, Texas. This was the fifth consecutive year Rolling Hills Country Club hosted the Championship.
Presenting sponsors of the 2018 Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women’s Open at Rolling Hills Country Club included: Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, The University of Texas at Arlington and Volvik.
Rolling Hills Country Club - 6,200 yards, par 71.
(a): Denotes Amateur
Final Results