JEFFERSON CITY — After competing through six rounds of golf overall and four rounds of match play in just two days, Audrey Rischer (Columbia) and Ian Davis (Makanda) emerged victorious in the 2021 Junior Match Play Championship at Oak Meadow Country Club in Rolla.
Rischer defeated Lyla Louderbaugh 2 & 1 in the final match of the tournament, taking wins on the 16th and 17th holes to cement the victory.
On the penultimate hole, Louderbaugh put a chip up close to the hole and had the par putt conceded. Rischer responded by sinking a birdie putt that broke the tie.
On the men’s side, it took Davis 21 holes to advance to the final match, and he had to continue battling before taking home the win. After being up as much as three on the front nine, he fumbled on the back, giving up his lead and going down one after the 15th hole.
On the 17th hole, Davis took the win after opponent Archer Schnieders missed a 6-foot putt to par and tie the hole. Davis would take the 18th hole to finish out and win the match and tournament.
Rischer and Davis were also the leaders after the first two rounds of stroke play, giving them the No. 1 seeds in the respective brackets.
