Victory in the 39th edition of the women's amateur event certainly has significance for all members of the US team, including Lucy Li, the youngest player on the US team at 15 years of age. For Li, this win was not only a notable achievement but also established her as an American junior sensation.
The rookie US team player recorded a convincing score of 3-1-0. In the Sunday singles’ session, Li, currently at No. 9 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, beat 21-year old India Clyburn with a convincing score of 5&7 (5 up with seven holes to play).
The Curtis Cup was Li’s second big success after she made the cut at the US Women's Open a week before. It was Li’s second attempt at the Major event. Li first gained the public’s attention when she qualified for the 2014 US Women's Open at Pinehurst as an 11-year-old. The extraordinary feat was sadly not followed by success and Li failed to make the cut. Four years later, she’s made it through.
“I have a lot more experience now,” said Li, as quoted by Golf World, comparing this year’s event to the one four years ago. “I hit the ball farther, so the course doesn’t feel as long. When I was younger, I didn’t have a lot of expectations. I didn’t feel a lot of pressure. Now I feel a lot more experienced. I know what I’m doing more, so I expect more.”
