KIRKWOOD, Mo. (June 28, 2023) – Kennedy Swedick described her second round at the 96th Women’s Western Junior at Greenbriar Hills Country Club as “a rollercoaster.”

Six birdies, seven pars, four bogeys and a triple bogey populated the Albany, New York, native’s scorecard – good enough for a 1-over 72 and medalist honors. She posted an even-par 71 on Tuesday to finish at 1-over 143 for the 36 holes of stroke play.

“I knew I was capable of making birdies, so taking it shot by shot I knew that I could get birdies back even after the mistakes,” Swedick said. “My putting kept me confident it would all work out in the end.”

After making consecutive birdies to get to 1-under through 12 holes, Swedick made a triple bogey on No. 13. The misstep didn’t rattle the 16-year-old University of Virginia commit, who went on to make four pars and a birdie to get into the clubhouse with the lead after 36 holes.

Swedick leaned on her caddie to help her navigate the round when things weren’t going her way.

“When I let a few holes get away from me he did a great job of distracting me on everything but the golf,” Swedick said. “He said his favorite character from The Office was Kevin, and I thought that was interesting, so that started the bond and gave us a lot to talk about.”

At the end of Wednesday’s second round, the field was cut from 78 players to the top 16 for the match play portion of the event, which begins Thursday. The cut came at 9-over par, with Samantha Brown, of Westfield, Indiana, grabbing the final match play spot in a three-for-one playoff.

As the championship turns to match play, Swedick said she feels confident after winning the 2022 New York State Women’s Amateur and making match play at the 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior.

“I don’t think much about expectations,” she said. “I’m going to treat it like match play back home with my friends.”

Sayers Allen, a 16-year-old from Spring Branch, Texas, finished one stroke behind Swedick at 2-over par with rounds of 73-71. In opposite fashion of Swedick, Allen made 14 pars to go with two birdies and two bogeys Wednesday to make her second consecutive match play appearance.

After losing in the Round of 16 at Prestwick Country Club in Frankfort, Illinois, a year ago, Allen is hoping to make a deeper run this week.

“I’m feeling some confidence after making match play last year, but I didn’t make it far,” Allen said. “I’ve been working on a lot of things that worked so far, so I’m hoping it will help me these next couple days.”

Brynn Kort, of Henderson, Nevada, and Lisa Herman, of Jenks, Oklahoma, finished in a tie for third at 3-over par.

Kort, who also made match play last year, was the lone player to break par on Wednesday. The 15-year-old made three birdies in a 1-under 70, five strokes better than her 75 on Tuesday. Herman, 15, recorded a 3-over 74 after yesterday’s 71.

Rounding out the top five is last year’s runner up, Lisa Copeland – a 15-year-old from Naperville, Illinois – who finished at 4-over. Suzie Tran, of Poulsbo, Washington, finished in sixth at 5-over.

A group of three players finished in a tie for tenth at 6-over, including Hadley Ashton, of Erie, Colorado; Jessica Jolly, of Rockford, Michigan; and Mingyu Zhang, of China. Finishing in a tie for 10th at 7-over were Vilda Westh Blanc, of Sweden; Yetong Qian, of China; and Taryn Cagle, of San Clemente, California. The three players finishing in 13th at 8-over were HaYoung Lee, of South Korea; Reagan Folk, of Madison, Georgia; and Jenna Madden, of McKinney, Texas.

Four rounds of match play will determine the Women’s Western Junior champion. The Round of 16 and Quarterfinal matches will be played on Thursday. The Semifinals will be played Friday morning, and the Final will be played Friday afternoon.

The winner at Greenbriar Hills this week will join a past champions list that includes Candie Kung (1998), Christie Kerr (1994), Grace Park (1993) and Nancy Lopez (1972, 1973, 1974). First played in 1920, the Women’s Western Junior is one of the oldest junior golf tournaments in the United States.

Complete stroke-play standings can be found here. Match play pairings are here. Play will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Attendance and parking for the Women’s Western Junior are free