Haley Sturgeon and Leighton Shosted were two of the final-round stars of the Larry H, Miller Utah Women’s Open in August, so it was not surprising when they became the top two seeds in the Utah Section PGA Women’s Match Play. Or when they met in a final match that went to No. 18.
Shosted completed a 1-up victory at Alpine Country Club. She ended Sturgeon’s three-year reign in the event, thanks to winning the par-5 No. 17.
Shosted, an Arizona native, turned pro this past summer after a college career that took her from Utah Valley to Grand Canyon and Tennessee. Now affiliated with Red Ledges Golf Club, Shosted finished fifth in the Utah Women’s Open by moving up with three birdies in the last six holes.
Sturgeon made a run at the title that day at The Country Club, where she’s an assistant pro, before finishing second. She again dominated the Women’s Player of the Year race in the Section. Sturgeon positioned herself for a possible fourth straight Women’s Match Play title by shooting a 36 (topping Shosted’s 37) in the nine-hole qualifying round that reduced the field from 10 to eight players.
Sturgeon withstood a challenge from Emily Jones in the semifinals, winning 3 and 2. Shosted played a total of only 26 holes in her first two matches, including a 5-and-4 semifinal victory over Carly Dehlin.
Click here for complete Utah PGA Women’s Match Play Championship bracket scoring.
Tournament recap written by Fairways Media senior writer Kurt Kragthorpe. Photos by Fairways Media/Garrit Johnson.