Vilaubi Victorious at Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women's Open at Firewheel Golf Park
Claims Title for a Second Time
GARLAND, TX - Savannah Vilaubi of Downey, California, captured the Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women’s Open at Firewheel Golf Park for a second time firing an impressive 6-under 66 in today’s round to best Round Two leader Nicole Budnik of The Woodlands by one stroke. Vilaubi carded an impressive eight birdies during the final round, including one on the final hole forcing Budnik to get up and down from the front of the green for par.
Vilaubi, who won this event in 2016 at Rolling Hills Country Club, had a little work to do after her opening round of 72, but carded rounds of 70 and 66 for a Championship total of 208, 8-under par.
“During my round today I really embodied this idea of bringing confidence with me and not letting it build after having made birdies. That was the goal to start. Let’s keep up the birdies and get rid of the bogeys. So, I just made sure to just kind of start with that and let that set the tone and give me momentum,” said Vilaubi after the round.
With her victory, Savannah takes home $10,000 and, more importantly, an exemption into the 2019 Volunteers of America Classic to be played on October 3-6, 2019, at Old American Golf Club. Both the 2018 Texas Women’s Open champion and the 2019 champion will have a place in the LPGA Tour event’s field.
“I feel extreme gratitude and a little bit of disbelief. The Texas Women’s Open, I think, is the best State Open that there is with the exemption up for grabs and the purse getting higher. When your hard work and patience pays off not only in the form of a check, but also in the form of an exemption, it is something really, really special,” Vilaubi said.
With rounds of 66-73-72—211 (5-under-par), amateur Meagan Winans of Richardson, Texas, finished as the Low Amateur for the Championship in solo third. The Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women’s Open adjusted its eligibility in 2017 having participants 17 years of age and younger qualify. Winans was one of the four to qualify. Winans is committed to play collegiate golf at The University of Oklahoma, but will be a junior in high school this coming fall at Plano East. Winans and sister Libby, who finished T4 at 1-under, are both former Northern Texas PGA Junior Tour members.
“Coming down 18 I didn’t really know where I stood, so I thought I had to birdie. I ended up having a little bit of wiggle room for Low-Am, but I still wanted to birdie there. I made a decently long putt for birdie, so that was pretty good for me. I actually did see on leaderboard and [my sister] was starting to chase up the leaderboard. We’re competitive, but we both root for each other. So, it was good either way.”
Following yesterday’s round, the 106-player field was cut to the low 50 scores and ties. 53 players made the cut, which was at 9-over-par 153. The 53 players consisted of 32 professionals and 21 amateurs.
The 32 professionals that remained in the field competed for a share of the professional purse. The 18 amateurs competed for the Low Amateur award and a crystal trophy. The top five amateurs received gift certificates. The overall championship purse is $50,000.
The 54-hole stroke play event was conducted from July 7-9 at Firewheel Golf Park in Garland, Texas. This was the first year for Firewheel Golf Park to host the Championship. Presenting sponsors of the 2019 Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women’s Open at Firewheel Golf Park included the City of Garland and Volvik.
Firewheel Golf Park – Bridges Course (Masters/Champions) - 6,409 yards, par 72.
(a): Denotes Amateur
