Robinson Leads Entering Final Round Of Women’s State Amateur

Expectations can become a fickle companion when it comes to golf, creating unexpected pressure in the midst of competition that can either suffocate or elevate one’s game. Some thrive in the cauldron of expectations, while others crumble.

But for Tori Robinson at this week’s 93^rd Tennessee Women’s Amateur Championship, her first two rounds at challenging Chattanooga Golf & Country Club haven’t been much different than playing with her friends back home at Humboldt Golf & Country Club.

The 17-year-old Jackson native entering her senior year at Trinity Christian School has displayed a calm and cheerful demeanor while competing on the biggest stage thus far in her career. It’s almost as if it hasn’t dawned on Robinson that she should be feeling the clench of nervousness given the magnitude of the moment.

Robinson tied for the day’s low round on Wednesday with her second straight score of 71, positioning her atop the leaderboard at even par 142 to hold a one-shot lead over Isabella Johnson (1-over 143) and two clear of Sophie Linder (2-over 144).

“Coming into this, I had no expectations,” said Robinson, who has committed to College of Charleston as her college home. “I think that is really the biggest game changer because I wasn't nervous heading into this tournament. I just told myself, ‘We're gonna do the best we can, and if that’s not good, it’s still okay.’ It's just been really fun and I've been able to keep calm most of the time.”

Entering the day one behind Johnson’s first-round lead, Robinson recorded a flawless 34 over her opening nine holes, tallying birdies at 4 and 5 to move into the lead. Another birdie at 10 gave her a two-shot cushion over Johnson and left her five clear of Linder, who joined her in the day’s final grouping.

Robinson gave back a shot at 12, then closed with bogeys at 16 and 17 to shrink her advantage. But her disappointing finish failed to dampen her outlook heading into Thursday’s final round.

“Things got a little rough coming down the stretch, but I still feel really good about tomorrow,” Robinson said. “Other than a couple holes today, I've been pretty consistent. My putting has been really good so I'm just feeling pretty confident going into the final round. This has been an amazing experience going into my senior year and definitely giving me confidence going into my collegiate career.”

Johnson continued her steady play that resulted in an opening round of 70, and was poised to duplicate her overnight lead except for her own stumbles over the final holes.

The Murfreesboro native, who will be attending her hometown MTSU after competing for Tennessee last spring as a mid-year enrollee, was at even par for the day through 16 holes. Johnson dropped to 2-under after a birdie at 2, then bogeyed No. 6 before reeling off ten consecutive pars. But she surrendered a stroke at 17, and walked off 18 after a disappointing three-putt bogey to fall one behind Robinson.

“Today was definitely a fight,” Johnson said. “I never really had anything easy, so I had to work for everything. I had some stupid mistakes coming in that were frustrating, but it also works to give me some motivation for tomorrow. Ideally you want to be leading the tournament, but I like chasing, too. I just need to prove what I’m capable of doing.”

The late stumbles by Robinson and Johnson opened the door for Linder to pull within striking distance. The Carthage native who is entering her third season at Ole Miss was able to gain three shots on her playing partners over the final three holes, posting her fourth birdie of the day on 16 and closing with two pars.

Linder finished with a 72, her up-and-down round also saddled with five bogeys. But the four-time Tennessee Player of the Year battled throughout the day to remain in contention.

“It definitely was a battle out there,” Linder said. “I had a few mistakes but kind of fought through it. We got a few shots back toward the end so that's good momentum to lead into tomorrow.”

Should Linder manage to find herself cradling the Scott L. Probasco Trophy on Thursday afternoon, it would conclude a special trifecta in her playing career after she became the first player to win the Tennessee Girls’ Junior and the Tennessee Women’s Open in the same year in 2021.

“It would mean a lot,” Linder said. “Tennessee golf is a big part of who I am today, and I've won both the Junior and the Open, so it would be amazing to win the Amateur. Plus, it would get me into the U.S. Women's Am, and that's a big deal.”

A total of 11 golfers are bunched within seven shots at the top of the leaderboard, and no one made a bigger move than defending champion Bella Bugg. The Thompson’s Station resident who is headed to Virginia Tech this fall equaled Robinson’s low round of 71 to move into 4^th place at 5-over 147 after starting the day tied for 24^th.

Ooltewah’s Katie Woodruff, whose caddie for this event is her husband, Blaine, who is UTC’s men’s golf coach, finds herself in 5th place at 6-over 148 after carding a 73.

Six golfers are tied for 6^th at 7-over 149 that includes Germantown’s Sophie Christopher, Knoxville’s Lexanne Halama, sisters Kelli and Katie Scheck of Ooltewah, Karlie Campbell of Ethridge, and Franklin’s Ava Bankston.

Thursday’s final round will feature split tees with Robinson, Johnson and Linder once again paired in the final group slated to go off at 9:20 a.m.

Miller Low Scorer In Flighted Division

Loudon’s Susan Miller captured the First Flight with a score of 16-over 158 after shooting 76 on Wednesday. Erica Chappell of Nashville was one shot back at 17-over 159, while Julie Marr of Gallatin was 3^rd at 18-over 160.

Michelle Dodson of McMinnville and Janice Sauter of Franklin were co-winners in the Second Flight at 30-over 172, one shot better than Hazel Davis of Ooltewah.

The Third Flight was won by Hermitage’s Julie Carlton at 29-over 171. Gena Ridings of Franklin was second at 30-over 172, while Niota’s Patty Manney placed third at 32-over 174.

Mount Juliet’s Mary Kelly claimed the Fourth Flight at 37-over 179, three shots better than Stephanie Coffey of South Pittsburg at 40-over 182. Jayna Jones of Maryville was third at 43-over 185.

For complete results, go to Tennessee Women's Amateur.

Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com