15-year-old Yana Wilson wins 73rd U.S. Girls’ Junior at The Club at Olde Stone

Written by: Cameron Jourdan

Yana Wilson experienced first hand how the top-ranked amateur in the world handled herself last year.

During the 72nd U.S. Girls’ Junior at Columbia Country Club in Maryland, Wilson fell to then-No.1 amateur Rose Zhang in the match play quarterfinals. Wilson then stayed an extra day and watched Zhang capture the championship.

“I wanted to watch her in the finals,” Wilson said. “And I told myself I was going to win this thing (this year).”

It’s safe to say the motivation paid off.

Wilson captured the 73rd U.S. Girls’ Junior championship at The Club at Olde Stone in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Saturday. The 15-year-old beat Gianna Clemente 3 and 2 in the 36-hole final.

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