U.S. Women’s Amateur final match preview: Staff picks, what to expect Sunday at Westchester Country Club

HARRISON, N.Y. — After two rounds of stroke play and five of match play, we’re down to the final two players at the 121st U.S. Women’s Amateur.

And it’s an all-Wildcat final.

Kentucky junior Jensen Castle took down Stanford sophomore Rachel Heck in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon to meet Arizona junior Yu-Chiang (Vivian) Hou in Sunday’s 36-hole final at Westchester Country Club’s West Course.

While both players had varying routes to the finale, each had to go the full 18 holes on Saturday – and then some for Castle. The West Columbia, South Carolina, native went to an extra hole with Heck and won with a clutch birdie after coming up just short of the green on the driveable par-4 10th. Castle’s chip shot came up 15 feet short, but she matched the pace and line perfectly to convert the birdie. Heck lipped out from just outside 10 feet.

Before Saturday, Hou had cruised through her previous four rounds of match play – even with a torn labrum in her hip – but was forced to play Nos. 17 and 18 thanks to a tough test from Michigan State’s Valentina Rossi for the first time since Tuesday’s final round of stroke play. With a 1-up lead in the 18th fairway, she stuffed a pitching wedge to just a few feet for the conceded win.

Below you’ll find everything you need to know for Sunday’s final match.

Hou vs. Castle, 8 a.m. ET

As far as advantages go, it’s truly a toss up.

Hou has gotten out to an early lead in each match but the semifinal, and has battled back when necessary. She’s rarely out of position and has a real feel for the course, but did admit she needs to work on her long putts before Sunday’s final. She’s comfortable with her sister and teammate, Yu-Sang, on the bag, and will have Arizona head coach Laura Ianello in the gallery to support her, as well.

And then there’s Castle, who’s also injured, but you’d never know it. She didn’t expect to last this long at Westchester but if anyone deserves a shot at the title, it’s Castle. After surviving a 12-for-2 playoff just to make match play (alongside Kentucky teammate Marissa Wenzler), Castle has continued to find ways to win. Her doctors didn’t want her to play this week, but hoisting the Robert Cox Trophy would certainly make it all worth it.

#USWomensAm finalists ✔️

Spots in the 2022 #USWomensOpen ✔️

Welcome to the field, Jensen Castle and Vivian Hou! pic.twitter.com/89xHr3TR6m

— U.S. Women’s Open (USGA) (@uswomensopen) August 7, 2021

How to watch

Championship match: 2-5 p.m. ET, Golf Channel

Staff picks

Beth Ann Nichols: Vivian Hou

Julie Williams: Jensen Castle

Adam Woodard: Jensen Castle