Jao-Javanil Captures Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women's Open at Rolling Hills Country Club
ARLINGTON, TX -
Chirapat Jao-Javanil of Houston, Texas, captured the Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women's Open at Rolling Hills Country Club by one stroke over defending champion Savannah Vilaubi of Downey, California. Jao-Javanil fired a final round score of 67, 4-under par, highlighted by an eagle and four birdies in her first five holes to propel her to her first Texas Women's Open victory. Jao-Javanil played consistent golf all week, with rounds of 70-71-67-208, 5-under par.
While some of the second round leaders dropped strokes early, Savannah Vilaubi stayed in contention throughout the tournament, and was the only one to put pressure on Jao-Javanil in the final round. Vilaubi narrowly missed a birdie putt on 18 to force a playoff, and finished with a final score of 209, 4-under par. Round two leader Sarah Hoffman struggled to get things going during the final round, and finished the Championship with a final score of 211, 1-under par.
Texas Women's Open newcomer and amateur Gurleen Kaur (a) closed out a stellar tournament with birdies on her final two holes en route to firing a score of 69. With rounds of 69-74-69-212 (1-under par), Gurleen finished as the Low Amateur for the Championship. The Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women's Open adjusted its eligibility this year by having participants 17 years of age and younger qualify. Kaur was one of the 11 to qualify. Gurleen will be a freshman at Baylor University and play collegiately this fall.
Despite the steady pressure from tough competition, Chirapat managed to stay composed and captured what she described as her "greatest professional victory to date." With her win, she takes home $5,000 and, more importantly, an exemption into the LPGA Tour's 2018 Volunteers of America Texas Shootout.
Jao-Javanil said, "This is my fifth win professionally. This is definitely one of the better ones because also getting an exemption into an LPGA event is definitely the biggest opportunity and kind of the biggest prize you can give a golfer even without the check. So this is a nice mid-year win to propel me for the rest of the events that I have coming up."
"We are thrilled to be able to partner with NTPGA and Energy Producers to offer an exemption into the 2018 Volunteers of America Texas Shootout for this year's Texas Women's Open winner. We look forward to seeing Chirapat tee it up with the best female golfers in the world next April in Irving," said Kristy Nutt, Volunteers of America Texas Shootout Tournament Director.
Following yesterday's round, the 138-player field was cut to the low 50 scores and ties. 55 players made the cut, which was at 8-over-par 150. The 55 players consisted of 34 professionals and 21 amateurs.
The 34 professionals that remained in the field competed for a share of the $27,500 overall purse. The 21 amateurs competed for the low amateur award and a crystal trophy. The top five amateurs received gift certificates.
The 54-hole stroke play event was conducted from July 12 through July 14 at Rolling Hills Country Club in Arlington, Texas. This was the fourth consecutive year Rolling Hills Country Club hosted the Championship.
Presenting sponsors of the 2017 Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women's Open at Rolling Hills Country Club included: Antigua-Slazenger, Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, El Gabacho Tex-Mex Grill and The University of Texas at Arlington.
Rolling Hills Country Club - 6,200 yards, par 71.
(a): Denotes Amateur
Final Round Results.
