Annika Borrelli Wins Second Straight California Women’s Am
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Incoming Cal graduate transfer Annika Borrelli accomplished something no one else has since 2004 on Saturday when she defended her title at the California Women's Amateur Championship. Borrelli led the championship match against former San Jose State golfer Antonia Malate nearly wire-to-wire and clinched her 5 & 4 victory with a 15-foot birdie putt on the par-three 14th hole. The last player to win two more in a row is current LPGA golfer Mina Harigae, who won a record four in a row from 2001-04.
"It's unbelievable to have won this event again," said Borrelli, who also became the sixth player in the 56-year history of the championship to win back-to-back titles. "I'm thrilled to have defended my title and become only the sixth woman to do so. It was a battle against one of my best friends, and we both displayed some good golf."
"We are so excited for Annika that she has defended her title at the California Women's Amateur Championship today," Cal head coach Nancy McDaniel said. "Her solid and consistent play and mental toughness, combined with experience from last year's event, along with a great caddy (father David) were the perfect ingredients for success."
Borrelli jumped out to a strong start Saturday at the San Luis Obispo Country Club by making birdies to capture the first two holes. Malate briefly evened the match by winning the fourth and fifth holes but Borelli regained the advantage when Malate bogeyed the seventh and would never trail again. Borrelli extended to her margin by taking the ninth, 10th and 12th holes before the clincher on 14. She would finish the round with seven birdies (1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14) including five on the final six holes.
Borrelli started the six-day event by finishing tied for 11th over 36 holes of stroke play (77-71 – 148, +4) on Monday and Tuesday. She then started her march through four days of match play with a 4 & 2 victory over Cynthia Zang in the Round of 32 on Wednesday before a 4 & 3 win against Bridget O'Keefe in Thursday's Round of 16. She won twice Friday with a 1 up win over Amelia Garibaldi in the quarterfinals and a 3 & 2 victory against Taylor Riley in the semifinals to reach Saturday's championship match.
Her father/caddy reflected on his daughter's accomplishment and his role.
"To witness your daughter excel at the highest level is the ultimate thrill for a parent," he said. "Now she can't kick me off the bag for another year."
Borrelli, who played the past four seasons at USF, will begin her Cal career in August.
'I'm excited to start my fifth year at Cal," Borrelli said. "Coach Nancy [McDaniel] and Bev [Terry] have not only been welcoming but supportive in my golf journey and starting a new chapter at Cal. I can't wait to rep the Bears next year."