July 19, 2007
Pinehurst, N.C. (www.ucfathletics.com) - UCF sophomore Leigh Crosby advanced to the quarterfinals of the 105th North and South Women's Amateur Championship being staged at the famed Pinehurst No. 2 on Thursday with a victory over Australia's Emma Bennett. Crosby defeated Bennett 2-up in her second match of the day as the field of 156 was whittled down to just eight remaining golfers.
Crosby (Athens, Ga./Oconee) was seeded No. 57 in the match play bracket after advancing through the 36-hole qualifier with a total of 155 (+10). She opened with a 77 (+5) on Pinehurst No. 8 (Par 72) and followed that with a 78 (+5) on the Donald Ross designed No. 2 where all match play rounds are being contested.
Crosby has pulled off three match play upsets en route to the quarterfinals, defeating No. 8 seed Cydney Clanton (Concord, N.C) 3 &1 in the first round on Wednesday. In her first match on Thursday, she knocked off No. 40 seed Erica Still (Norcross, Ga.) 3 & 2 and capped her day with the victory over Bennett (Moama, Australia), who was the No. 9 seed, in the round of 16.
The quarterfinals will be played on Friday when Crosby will face No. 1 seed and defending champion Jenny Suh, who plays her college golf for the University of Alabama. Crosby has joined an elite list of the nation's best amateurs in the quarterfinals, including Duke's Amanda Blumenherst, who is the No. 1 ranked collegian in the country.
Crosby competed in eight events for the Knights in 2006-07 with her best finish coming at the Florida State Championship in Miami Lakes, Fla., in March.
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