Galantini and Lakhawala Advance to 69th Junior Girls’ Championship Final
HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, N.J. – After two rounds of match play at the 69th Junior Girls’ Championship, just Samantha Galantini and Vidhi Lakhawala remain. Galantini and Lakhawala will square off at 8 a.m. at Royce Brook GC on Friday to determine the champion.
Following 18-holes of stroke play on Wednesday, Galantini entered the day as the sixth seed where she was able to best third-seeded Amanda Phillips, 2&1. Galantini got off to a hot start leading three-up through nine holes and held on for the quarterfinal victory.
“It’s definitely a lot easier when I am on the second or third hole and I’m already up. It’s just a better mindset than being down and trying to force stuff,” Galantini said. “I feel like I can be calm and just let things happen and force my opponent to make the mistakes.”
In her semifinal match, Galantini was able to best second-seeded Jessica Danckwerth, 3&2. Again it was Galantini’s hot start, one which saw her take four of the first seven holes, that propelled her to victory.
“I hit some wedge shots really close and that helped me get out to the hot start,” Galantini said.
On the opposite side of the bracket, in the matchup between the fourth and fifth seeds, Lakhawala prevailed as the higher seed with a 4&3 victory over Angela Liang. After winning the first hole, Lakhawala was able to take three consecutive holes from the sixth through the eighth enroute to her quarterfinal victory.
“It’s definitely a little bit easier to play when you’re ahead. The pressure is off you and you just get to play your own game,” Lakhawala said.
In a tightly contested semifinal match, Lakhawala got the best of eighth-seeded Skylar Lee 2&1. Tied through nine holes, Lakhawala turned the tide after winning the 10th hole and then going two-up after 13 holes.
“Just staying patient and letting myself tie the holes and win a few holes helps my confidence and helped me gain momentum. Everything has been working pretty good and I’m just trying to play simple golf,” Lakhawala said.
Galantini and Lakhawala are set to tee off at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday for the 69th Junior Girls’ Championship.
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