The U.S. Women's Amateur has officially slimmed down to the last two. Get ready, folks, because it’s a showdown between the top-ranked junior, Asterisk Talley, and the co-medalist herself, Anna Iwanaga. After a week where the weather forecast looked less like golf and more like a job description for Noah, these two finalists have somehow slogged through the downpours, the delays, and probably a few existential crises to reach the championship match.
Talley, bless her heart, remembers what it’s like to be that close two years ago, finishing runner-up. You can bet she’s not looking to relive that particular brand of agony. And Iwanaga? She’s making it crystal clear she didn’t just show up for the free goodie bag. Both ladies absolutely blasted their semifinal matches, winning by a comfortable 6 and 4. It turns out the real secret weapon wasn't just a killer drive, but some sort of dark magic that made pars when it counted and putts that just disappeared into the cup like a ninja.
As play kicked off Sunday morning, Iwanaga apparently decided that dawn was the ideal moment to unleash a birdie blitz, rattling off four in a row to slam the door on her opponent. Talley wasn't about to be outdone, firing back with three quick birdies of her own to secure her spot. Golf Channel will be there, proving you don't need a three-ring circus to find some proper golf drama, just two amazing players playing for keeps. This is the kind of thing that makes you wonder if those folks in charge of the pro tours, who spend all their time fretting about golf ball technology, are even watching.