Bethany Wu of Diamond Bar successfully defended her title in the Annika Invitational, winning by eight strokes over Ziyi Yang of China, Yuting Sho of Japan and Megan Khang of Rockland, Mass., in the American Junior Golf Association event on the Watson Course at Reunion Resort in Reunion, Fla.
Wu, who became the first two-time winner of the tournament, took a five-stroke lead into the final round, but it shrunk to one when she carded three bogeys in the first five holes.
However, she turned things around by playing the last 13 holes in a bogey-free 4-under-par to close with a 2-under 70.
“I got off to a shaky start,” said Wu, who opened with 68-68 and then wrapped up the title with three consecutive birdies through No. 16 in the final round. “I was just nervous. Once I shook it off, I started making pars again, which calmed me down and I was able to get back.
“It’s unbelievable. It honestly feels like deja vu. My goal was just to win one AJGA Invitational, so to win another one, especially this one, is incredible.”
Khang also closed with a 70, Wang shot 72 and Shi came in at 74.
Elizabeth Wang of San Marino shot 70 and finished in a tie for 10th that included Amy Lee of Brea, who had a 72, and Andrea Lee of Hermosa Beach, who wound up at 74.
