MARICOPA, ARIZ. – In the final AZ GOLF tournament of 2024, Kate Connolly and Asia Young delivered an unforgettable showdown. Ultimately, it was Connolly who rose to the occasion, clinching the 2024 Women’s Match Play title with a hard-fought 1-up victory at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club.
In Monday’s stroke play qualifying round, Young claimed the top seed, while Connolly secured the fourth seed. Connolly’s journey to the championship match was anything but easy, featuring victories over Ashley Shaw, who made her LPGA Tour debut earlier this year, and the University of Arkansas’s Abbey Schutte.
Connolly set the tone early by taking the first point on Hole 1, but Young struck back on the next hole by sticking her approach shot to five feet, setting up a birdie putt to even the match Connolly then found her rhythm; she drained a 15-foot birdie putt on hole no. 3 and followed it up with a chip-in for birdie two holes later, giving her a 2-up advantage.
Kate Connolly hits a tee shot on 18 during her quarterfinal match at the 2024 Women's Match Play (Photo by Brandon Genson)
“I knew Asia was on the green and she had a look at birdie. Before I walked up to hit that chip, I said to my dad that this is a very makeable chip and I knew that I wanted to keep it low and it was uphill,” Connolly said of her chip on hole no. 5 “I just landed it right where I wanted to and it worked out perfectly.”
Connolly never relinquished that lead but Young refused to back down. Despite Connolly being 3-up heading into the 13th hole, Young mounted a comeback; she won three of the next four holes to even the match as they approached the 17th tee box. On the par-3 17th hole, Young’s tee shot landed within five feet of the pin. Connolly, facing a 15-foot birdie putt from just off the fringe, sank a clutch putt under pressure which ultimately secured the match.
In the Senior Division, Robin Krapfl and Leigh Klasse, who have won two AZ GOLF events this year as partners, ran into each other in the Championship Match, which went to a playoff secured by Krapfl with a long putt on the 19th hole.
Robin Krapfl hits a tee shot during her quarterfinal match at the 2024 Women's Match Play (Photo by Brandon Genson)
“Leigh is probably my best golf friend (in Arizona), so it was great to play with her but I don’t like to see her lose,” Krapfl said of her match with Klasse. “I would’ve been happy if she’d won and I know she feels the same way as me. It was a double-edged sword, great playing with her but it’s also hard to beat one of your best friends.”
The following players also earned hardware for winning the Championship Match in their respective flights: