Razorback Tubert tops McCloskey to capture U.S. Women's Public Links

Emily Tubert beat Lisa McCloskey 3 and 2 in the 36-hole final match to win the Women's Amateur Public Links championship on Saturday. Tubert trailed 2-down after five holes, but won seven straight holes to go 5-up after 12. The Burbank, Calif., native and incoming Arkansas freshman held at least a 3-up lead the rest of the way. Tubert recorded five birdies during her streak, including four straight from holes nine through 12. She took a 4-up lead after 18 and was 4-up after 27. McCloskey, a junior-to-be at Southern California, pulled within 3-up by winning 15 and stayed in the match by halving 16, but her 12-foot birdie putt on 17 missed, giving Tubert the title. Tubert qualified fifth from stroke play, shooting a 1-under 141. She breezed through the first three rounds of match play before needing 19 holes to advance from both the quarterfinals and semifinals on Friday. The start of the championship match at Notre Dame's Warren Golf Course was delayed an hour by lightning.