It had all the makings of a top match. And it didn't disappoint. Ariya Jutanugarn went up against Gabriella Then in this morning's match. It was a see-saw battle all the way.
"It went back and forth all day," said Then, who played in the U.S. Women's Open this year. "It could have ended earlier but it didn't."
Jutanugarn won the match, 1 up, to advance to the semifinal round. It wasn't easy since she was down most of the match. For seven holes, the match was all square. Jutanugarn never held the lead until the 16th hole. It was 16 when the match turned in her favor. Then hit a fade off the tee on the 312-yard par 4, but her ball went way right into thicket of bushes. Then opted to play her ball, but took two strokes to get out. Moments later she conceded the hole.
"It was very critical because there were only two holes left," said Then.
"She made a mistake on 16," said Jutanugarn, who also played in this year's U.S. Women's Open.
Then also thought No. 10 played out as a key moment. She lost the hole when Jutanugarn sank a 6-foot birdie putt that squared the match. On the 353-yard par-4 13th hole, Then took a 1-up lead. Then converted a knee-bending 36-foot putt that won the hole. Jutanugarn squared the match on No. 15 with a 10-foot birdie make, which set up Then's imminent downfall on No. 16.