Amateur Hannah O’Sullivan, who has committed to USC, became the youngest winner in Symetra Tour history, carding a 3-under-par 69 to beat Haley Italia by four strokes in the Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz.
O’Sullivan, at 16 months, nine months and 11 days, broke the record set by Cristie Kerr, who was 17 when she captured the 1995 Ironwood Futures Classic at Ironwood Golf Course in Gainesville, Fla., on what was then the LPGA Futures Tour.
Afterward, O’Sullivan left no doubt that she is not turning pro any time soon.
“I am verbally committed to USC, so Fight On,” said O’Sullivan, who is a junior at Hamilton High in nearby Chandler, Ariz.
” … This feels incredible; I can’t believe what has just happened. To be able to represent the local area and come out with a win, I can’t even describe the feeling. To be able to win on the Symetra Tour, at any age, means so much.
“It gives me a big boost of confidence and I am just so thankful to be given this opportunity.”
O’Sullivan finished at 67-65-69–201, 15-under, and broke the tournament scoring record of 204 set last year by Alena Sharp.
Not only that, she became the third player to win on the LPGA Tour or the Symetra Tour before her 17th birthday, joining Lydia Ko, now the No. 1 player in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, and Lexi Thompson.
O’Sullivan is the first amateur to win on the developmental tour since Kellee Booth of Coto de Caza captured the Pacific Bell Futures Classic.
Italia, who played college golf at Mississippi, also closed with a 69, while Giulia Molinaro of Italy shot 67 and finished seven shots back in solo third.
Stephanie Kono, who played at UCLA, posted a 68 and finished in a tie for fourth that included Luciane Lee of UC Irvine, who posted a 68, Lee Lopez of Whittier and UCLA, who totaled 71, and Brianna Do of Long Beach and UCLA, who came in at 73.
