Ku fires course record 65; claims 16th Women's Pub-Links at Heron Glen
Two weeks after winning the NJSGA Women’s Amateur Championship, Anina Ku of Neshanic Valley fired a course-record seven-under-par 65 to win her second consecutive NJSGA Women’s Public Links Championship, at par-72, 5,456-yard Heron Glen Golf Course in Ringoes.
Ku was hardly tested, shooting a four-under-par 32 on her front nine, and went on to win by 10 shots over Katie Lee of Royce Brook, who shot 75. Hilary Abramowitz of Rutgers was third with a 79. Ellie Yum of Galloping Hill took low net honors with a 66.
“I think it’s important we still have a Public Links championship, and I'm proud to represent Neshanic Valley,” said Ku, 19, who helped lead Harvard to the Ivy League championship this spring.
“I grew up playing smaller NJSGA and NJPGA junior tournaments and I didn’t come close to winning. There was a different level of competition, watching girls like Alice Chen succeed. It showed me that I had a lot of growing to do. It’s an amazing feeling to now have three NJSGA championships. Winning them was always a big goal of mine.”
Ku, who gained All-Ivy League honors this year and was selected as a Rolex All-American last year, served notice this was to be her day when she birdied holes two through five - arguably the toughest stretch on the course.
“I had a practice round the other day and spent a lot of time putting. I knew I could set myself up well for my shots, but the main takeaway was how the greens broke. That helped me a lot,” said Ku, who carded eight birdies against one bogey.
“I tried to be super-focused on every shot. My focus and confidence allowed me to play very well.”
She stated that playing well these past few weeks will pay dividends when Ku returns to collegiate golf.
“Out here, I can play aggressively. There are more opportunities where I can go low. It’s more about the shots I made, the longer approaches on the par fives and the par threes. Those are shots I will need in the future,” Ku said.
