Vilaubi Captures First Epson Tour Victory in Two-Hole Playoff
Former University of California, Riverside Highlander, Savannah Vilaubi took home the Copper Rock Championship trophy in dramatic fashion, winning in a two-hole, three-person playoff. Vilaubi fired three straight under-par rounds to end the tournament at 15-under. A final-round 69 and a bogey on the second playoff hole helped secure her first Epson Tour victory on Saturday.
The California native started the first round by breaking the course record and never looked back. With her boyfriend making a surprise and short-lived appearance on the bag, Vilaubi became the first player of 2023 to go wire-to-wire to capture a title.
“I’m very grateful that my boyfriend drove out and caddied for me last minute, so I had someone to talk to, someone to bounce ideas off of, and someone to keep the belief in me," said Vilaubi. "The whole vibe of the day was to stay patient and diligent, and I had this deep seeded belief since yesterday.”
Despite the slow start to the round, Vilaubi stayed true to her game plan and stayed patient and played simple. The 29-year-old was able to fire off five birdies on her back nine to force the playoff in front a rowdy crowd in Hurricane.
“There’s not added pressure, there’s added energy,” said Vilaubi. “It felt electric to have the spectators and the grandstands on 9 ad 18; there was a tangible energy around the golf course this week and we’re really fortunate that Copper Rock puts on such an amazing event with the Epson Tour.”
After a push on the first playoff hole, Vilaubi was able to make the least amount of mistakes on the second playoff hole, despite finishing with a three-putt at take home the trophy.
“My first win on the Epson Tour, it feels amazing,” said Vilaubi. “I’m on cloud nine right now; this is absolutely unreal.”
Jenny Coleman put together one of the rounds of the day, turning in a bogey-free 64, her second straight bogey-free round. The former University of Colorado Buffalo went 44 holes without a bogey, her last bogey coming on hole no. 10 in the first round. Coleman fell just short of the title after making birdie on her last hole to get into the playoff but carries momentum going into Garden City.
“It was a solid week, ball striking was steady, didn’t have to grind out too many pars and gave myself some birdie looks,” said Coleman. “I didn’t know until I was getting into my putt that it was to tie the lead. I looked up and saw the sign right there and had to regroup, but I got focused and made the putt.”
The third member of the playoff was Therese Warner. The Washington native put together three impressive rounds to get herself into the playoff. Warner had a put for the win on 18 but her ball came up one rotation short. Despite the outcome, Warner is happy with her performance.
“It feels great [to finish well]. It was a grind all week,” said Warner. “I stayed calm, that was my goal for the week, and had a good mentality throughout the entire tournament. I’m really proud of myself for that. I played well and that’s all I can say.”
Rounding out the top five were Alena Sharp and Su Oh finishing in 3rd (-14) and 4th (-13) respectively. Oh was able to match the course record in her final round that was set by Vilaubi earlier in the week. Sharp also lit up the course with a bogey-free 64 that helped her have a share of the lead when she finished her round.
QUICK QUOTES
Su Oh (-13, 5th) on a 9-under final round:
“I would have been nice to get one more [birdie] because I saw that the lead was 13-under, and I was running out of holes. But I tried my best. No bogeys and I hit the ball really good, so I can’t say I’m too disappointed with my finish.”
Alena Sharp (-14, 4th) on an 8-under final round:
“I’m just really happy because at the beginning of this week, I was kind of down. I did the [LPGA Tour] Monday qualifier over in LA and didn’t play well. I’ve been working hard on my game and nothing has really come to show, and then all of a sudden, when you stop trying so hard, things happen. So these last two days have been really good and a big confidence builder.”
)
)
)
)
