Womens Golf Association of Western Pennsylvania

Carol Semple Thompson overcame a slow start, two weather delays and sluggish play to win her 15th Women‘s Golf Association of Western Pennsylvania Championship on Friday at Oakmont Country Club.

Semple Thompson, from Allegheny Country Club, rallied from a 3-down deficit after five holes to defeat Courtney Myhrum of Fox Chapel in 21 holes to win the championship flight. Semple Thompson tied the match with a bogey on No. 17.

“I was fortunate to win,” she said. “Courtney left me off the hook. I wasn‘t sharp, but little by little I capitalized on her mistakes.”

Myhrum said she hadn‘t played in this tournament in years, and the lack of tournament toughness cost her.

“I left a lot of putts out there,” she said. “I was putting well all week, but we couldn‘t warm up on the putting greens, and it took us awhile to get used to the greens. They were inconsistent all day.”

Myhrum had the early edge because Semple Thompson had to punch out on No. 1 and she missed a putt on No. 3.

“I told my caddie I had to continue to play well because Carol was going to get things straightened out,” Myhrum said. “I just lost confidence on 4-foot putts.”

Semple Thompson won No. 6 to pull within 2-down, then won No. 11 with a par. That was the first hole in which Myhrum missed a short putt.

Semple Thompson also could have won No. 13 with a short putt, but she missed right. She had a chance to go 2-up on No. 16 but missed another short putt.

“I had my chances,” Myhrum said. “Carol and I are friends, and I truly admire her. She‘s done so much for amateur golf, and I‘m glad she‘s from Pittsburgh.”

During the extra holes, Semple Thompson and Myhrum each parred the first hole.

Myhrum had to survive a shot into the fescue and a bunker on No. 2.

“I love hitting from the bunkers,” Myhrum said. “They are a lot tougher here than Fox Chapel.”

On the third playoff hole, Semple Thompson hit a drive down the middle and reached the green in two. Myhrum missed the fairway right, and the ball settled in the bunker. She punched out to the left rough and had 115 yards to the green. Her third shot ended up in a greenside bunker, and her fourth shot came to rest 4 feet to the left of the cup.

Semple Thompson two-putted for the win.

"Winning never gets old", she said