Emma Talley Wins Rain-Shortened Symetra Event
This story and photo are courtesy of the Symetra Tour With nine groups, including Talley’s, still waiting to tee off play was suspended at 1:42 p.m. due to lightning in the area. With continued storms heading for the golf course and unplayable conditions, round three was officially called off making the results through round two official. It wasn’t exactly a storybook ending with a trophy ceremony inside a banquet room instead of the 18th green, but Talley couldn’t contain her smiles – after all, she wasn’t even supposed to be here this week. Talley’s mother has been battling health issues recently, including finding out she had cancer just a month ago. “I have been playing really well the last two weeks,” Talley said, “I told my mom ‘I really feel like I need to play this week.’”
Her winning score of 9-under par (135) marks her season-best 36-hole score, her third-straight top-10 finish and her sixth top-10 finish of the season. “This is awesome,” Talley said beaming, “it’s definitely a dream come true. It feels like all the work has finally been clicking and I’m really excited for the win.” With the $22,500 first-place check, she has moved all the way up to fourth in the Volvik Race to the Card with $43,618 in official earnings this season. Talley played 10 holes on Sunday morning to finish out round two, and in that timespan she used three birdies to get to 3-under for the round. “I’m really happy with the two rounds we did get in, and if we did get to play that would have been great, but it’s alright,” Talley said with a laugh. Talley, a 2016 University of Alabama graduate, is no stranger to titles. She was the 2013 U.S Women’s Amateur Champion and while playing for the Crimson Tide she was crowned the 2015 NCAA Golf Individual Champion. Runners-up Ruixin Liu and Benyapa Niphatsophon (-6, 138) never saw any action on Sunday as they both finished their second rounds on Saturday, finishing just three strokes shy of Talley. 2017 Symetra rookie Liu locked in a career-best finish and her third top-5 finish of the season. Aside from missing the cut at the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Women's Health Classic, Niphatsophon – who played on the LPGA in 2016 – has yet to finish outside the top-25 in nine starts this season. With the Island Resort Championship marking the midway point in the 2017 Symetra season, Talley said this win gives her a boost to finish out the season strong. |