Gabriela Ruffels Wins 2019 North & South Amateur Championship

USC junior Gabriela Ruffels completed a masterful week at Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort today, winning a pair of tightly contested semifinal and final matches to capture the 2019 North & South Amateur Championship one year after finishing as runner-up.

Ruffels, one of five Trojan All-Americans who competed this week, defeated Wake Forest's Emilia Migliaccio in the Friday morning semifinal, 1up, to reach her second consecutive final and then became the 117^th winner of the North & South with a 2up win over Australian amateur Doey Choi.

The win was arguably the biggest amateur title by a Trojan since current LPGA star Jennifer Song won the 2009 U.S. Women's Amateur.

"This is everything," said Ruffels. "Coming from last year when I was so close as the runner-up, this was my goal. And to do it in match play where anything can happen. I'm just so happy."

Ruffels fell behind two holes early in the title match, but won holes 7, 8 and 9 between weather delays to take a one-hole lead. Choi evened the match on 11 but Ruffels re-claimed the lead on 14. The pair halved the next three holes – Ruffels just missed birdies on 15 and 16 – before the Trojan All-American won 18 for the title.

Ruffels' morning match was equally tight. She lost the two holes before squaring her match with wins on holes 6 and 8. Migliaccio took one-hole leads on 11 and 14, but Ruffels mounted a late rally, capturing 16 and 17 ahead of a half on 18 for the semifinal victory.

"Everyone involved with our program is so proud of Gabi for her win this week," USC Coach Justin Silverstein said. "Gabi works very hard, is extremely smart and the progress she has made with her game within the last year is incredible.

"The ability to win at such a difficult golf course shows just how high the level the golf is that she is playing. We are very excited for what the future holds for Gabi's golf game."

On Thursday, Ruffels defeated Dylan Kim, 3&2, in the quarterfinals and downed UCLA All-American Bethany Wu, 2&1, in the round of 16. She won her first match against a Pinehurst local prepster, 2&1.

She earned her spot in the 32-woman match play bracket by finishing tied for 20^th over 36 holes of stroke play.

All five Trojans who competed in the North & South advanced to match play.

Senior Allisen Corpuz was the stroke play medalist at 3-under 139 (71-68) while junior Jennifer Chang tied for third at 1-over 143 (72-71). Junior Amelia Garvey tied for eighth at 3-over 145 (68-77) and sophomore Malia Nam tied for 27^th at 8-over 148 (76-72).

Corpuz reached the quarterfinals before succumbing to a late Migliaccio rally, losing 1up. Chang also lost in the quarters, 3&1. Garvey and Nam fell in the first round.

Players Mentioned

Jennifer Chang

Allisen Corpuz

Amelia Garvey

Malia Nam

Gabriela Ruffels