Teen golf sensation Asterisk Talley was reduced to tears after she suffered a dramatic collapse in the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
The 17-year-old from California took a one-shot lead into Saturday’s final round, only for Talley to add to the sad history of meltdowns at Amen Corner.
On the par-three 12th hole at the home of The Masters, she twice went from the back bunker into Rae’s Creek en route to making a quadruple bogey that dashed her hopes of victory.
Her collapse allowed Maria Jose Marin to become the first Colombian winner at Augusta National.
Talley didn’t make a bogey in the tournament until the 11th hole of her final round. But she shot 42 on the back nine for a 75 to finish six shots behind.
And afterwards, the 17-year-old was overcome with emotion. Talley wiped away tears as she spoke about seeing her family after the heartbreaking ending.
Asterisk Talley suffered a brutal collapse in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur final round
On the 12th hole, she twice went into Rae’s Creek en route to making a quadruple bogey
‘They just told me that they love me, [that] it didn’t define me as a player that that happened out there,’ she said.
‘It’s a little hard not to get emotional. There’s so much support out here. Sorry… I think it’s harder when there’s support out here watching you do that, but it’s great they’re still with me right now. I’m really happy that they’re here.’
She added: ‘I’m just honestly so blessed to be here – it’s a gift from God to walk this course and… it just wasn’t my day today. But it’s okay.’
Bryson DeChambeau gave Talley a pep talk following her final-round meltdown. ‘From the losses you learn the most – that’s pretty much what I told her. She’s going to be fine,’ DeChambeau told Golf Channel.
‘She’s going to be one of the best players in the world one day. And she knows it. I told her the most important thing is how you handle yourself and how you showcase yourself to inspire others.’
Marin, meanwhile, closed with a four-under par 68 to secure a four-shot victory. ‘I just reminded myself that I had to stay really, really patient because anything can happen out here,’ Marin said.
‘When that last putt sank in, I just thought to myself, ‘Well, I made it.’ All of my hard work has paid off, and I´m just extremely proud of myself.’
