Reigning U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links champion Emily Tubert got a nice bonus to her Wednesday when it was officially announced that she has received a sponsor's exemption to play in the LPGA's Walmart NW Arkansas Championship in early September.
The University of Arkansas sophomore raised the eyebrows of tournament officials after a stellar freshman season in which she won three times and was named first-team All-American. Her 19th-place finish at the NCAA Championships was also the best ever finish for a freshman.
"I am especially honored to be a part of the tradition of including players from the University of Arkansas," she said in a statement. "I went and watched the tournament last year and was so impressed by all of the support of the community. The Calling of the Hogs on 17 gave me goose bumps.”
In the tournament's inaugural playing in 2007, a former Razorback and USA Curtis Cup Team member Stacy Lewis, an amateur at the time, was declared the unofficial winner when play was reduced from 54 holes to 18 holes due to several days of inclement weather.
-- Stuart Hall