Las Vegas Aces defeat Seattle Storm: Recap, post-game quotes and highlights from Game 4

By Sep 6, 2022, 11:59 PM EDT
Chelsea Gray #12 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates during the game against the Seattle Storm on September 6, 2022.
Getty Images
0 Comments

The top-seeded Las Vegas Aces will advance to the WNBA Finals after ending the Seattle Storm’s season on Tuesday, winning Game 4 in their best-of-five seminal series 97-92 in what was the final game of All-Star point guard Sue Bird‘s legendary career.

Following a wild 110-98 overtime win on Sunday, the Aces won the series 3-1 and are now in position to chase their first WNBA title in franchise history. Chelsea Gray led the Aces with 31 points and 10 assists, a new playoffs record, while A’ja Wilson had 23 points and 13 rebounds.

The Storm, who were aiming for their fifth WNBA championship, were paced by Breanna Stewart, who recorded a whopping 40 points and six rebounds. Jewell Loyd added 29 points and four rebounds, with Bird collecting eight points and eight assists.

Las Vegas Aces, Seattle Storm post-game quotes

Sue Bird on playing her final WNBA game: “Sad. Yeah. Obviously. So thankful for 20 years here,” she said as chants of “Thank you, Sue” filled Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena. “I’m gonna miss it so much. I’m not going anywhere, but I’m gonna miss it. I wish we could have done a little bit more to get to the finals. But I’m so proud of this team this year. I’m so so so proud to be a member of the Seattle storm. It has been my honor to play for this franchise, to play for these fans.

“I guess I just hope the next person that comes in and plays point guard here can just keep the tradition going. Keep the winning going; keep that championship level going; keep these fans happy. Same thing goes to the rest of the team as well, but I don’t know, I hope I made everybody in here proud.”

Chelsea Gray on having a standout season: “I got in better shape. I got stronger. I got tighter. I got meaner, I got leaner — everything. I just keep putting the work in, and I love my job. I worked so damn hard, on and off the court, and I’m just glad we’re able to go the finals. It’s been a long time coming for this group.”

Las Vegas head coach Becky Hammon on winning the series, ousting Sue Bird and the Storm: “It is hard to win here on any night, let alone given the circumstances, you know? Kind of feel like the girl that beat Serena [Williams]. It’s like bittersweet. I know myself and our whole staff and team and organization have so much respect for Sue. She’s had a fairytale career, one that kids dream of. She got to live it, she lived it out loud, and her thumbprint on the game is forever etched in. So we’re obviously thrilled to be going back to the finals, I’m pumped for our girls, but it feels weird. It feels weird.”

Seattle Storm head coach Noelle Quinn on the loss, Bird’s final game: “The ultimate goal in life isn’t solely about winning. We are more than basketball players. And so it’s continuing to grow as people, understanding that in a team environment, in a season, that’s one of the most important things. It’s not just what you do on the basketball court but who you become as a woman.”

Aces’ A’ja Wilson on teammate Chelsea Gray: “When Chelsea’s rocking and rolling, my biggest thing is just getting the hell out of her way. … She’s the head of our snake, so when she’s going, best thing is [think about] how can I make her life easier? What can I do to help her get easier looks or just dictate the game? I’ve never, ever seen someone, honestly, live, do that and dictate the game and just stay composed in all the moments. Like, she’s built for this moment.”

Breanna Stewart on teammate Sue Bird: “As sad as it is that we’re not having the ability to compete for a championship, I think what’s more devastating is … just the fact that we’re no longer going to be on the court with Sue. We’re not going to see her in practice, we’re not going play with her in games. So I think that’s what hurts the most is just having that come to a reality really, really quickly. And that’s the way sports go and that’s the way things go. But like Jewell [Loyd] said, it’s it’s been an honor to be able to share the court with her and not many people get to. Usually people only know the Sue Bird that they play against or the Sue Bird that they see from afar, and we know her from up close as a mentor as a teammate as a friend. And I just know that she’ll be always in our corner no matter what.”

Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm: Fourth-quarter live updates

8:48 Q4: Stephanie Talbot makes 9-foot pullup jump shot to bring Seattle within two points; Aces lead 66-64.

Breanna Stewart on Storm’s mindset ahead of the fourth quarter: “Be aggressive. You know, it’s win or go home. We want to make sure that we force a Game 5 and doing whatever I can to make that happen.”

7:30 Q4: Jewell Loyd makes 15-foot two point shot (video below) and draws the foul by Kelsey Plum. Loyd makes her free throw to tie it up at 67-67.

6:35 Q4: A’ja Wilson completes three-point play as Las Vegas moves back to a six-point lead, 73-67.

3:43 Q4: Breanna Stewart makes 26-foot three-pointer to bring Seattle within two at 80-78. She currently has 39 points.

2:39 Q4: Seattle’s Gabby Williams makes a driving layup (video below) to tie the game at 82-82 and draws the foul from A’ja Wilson. She makes her free throw as Seattle takes back the lead by one.

30.7 Q4: After Chelsea Gray puts Las Vegas back out from with 27-foot three-pointer, 90-87, she follows up with a jumper to extend the lead to five (92-87). Gray records the first 30-point 10-assist playoff game in WNBA history, according to Her Hoop Stats.

5.3 Q4: Jackie Young makes the second of two free throws to put the Aces up 97-92, as Seattle is out of timeouts.

0:0 Q4: The Aces are headed to the WNBA Finals, ousting the Storm from the playoffs as 13-time All-Star Sue Bird wraps a legendary career.

Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm: Third-quarter live updates

7:44 Q3: Aces’ Chelsea Gray makes three-point jumper as Las Vegas takes its first lead of the game, 49-47.

5:29 Q3: A’ja Wilson makes three-point play as Aces go up 54-49.

3:38 Q3: Back-to-back personal founds by Jewell Loyd and Stephanie Talbot put Seattle over the limit.

2:51 Q3: Riquna Williams makes 25-foot three pointer as the Aces score the last seven points, giving them their largest lead of the night at 62-54.

0:00 Q3: Chelsea Gray (16 points on 7-of-13 shooting) ends the third quarter with a jump shot from 19 feet, and Las Vegas takes a 66-59 lead into the fourth quarter. The Aces outscore the Storm 22-12 in the third quarter.

Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm: Second-quarter live updates

9:43 Q2: Jewell Loyd beats the clock (video below) and gets the scoring going again for the Storm with a 12-foot pull-up jump shot; Seattle leads 25-19.

6:56 Q2: Jewell Loyd makes her second three-pointer as Seattle goes up 31-24.

Kelsey Plum on the Aces first-quarter performance: “It’s about our defense right now,” she told ESPN. “We’re not we’re not getting stops, we’re letting Stewie shoot open threes. They’re getting to the paint; offensive rebounds are killing us. So, like, offense will come, but defense — we gotta get stops.”

5:20 Q2: Official timeout; Seattle leads 33-26.

3:46 Q2: Breanna Stewart makes another three and is now 5-for-5 from behind the arc (video below). She currently has 20 points in the first half. Seattle takes a timeout, leading 40-35.

0:00 Q2: The Storm take a 47-44 lead into halftime. Breanna Stewart closes the half with 26 points on 9-of-12 shooting, marking the second most points in a half in WNBA Playoffs history. Angel McCoughtry (27 points) scored the most points in a half in WNBA playoff history on Oct. 5, 2011.

Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm: First-quarter live updates

10:00 Q1: Las Vegas wins the tipoff as Game 4 in the semifinal matchup between the Aces and Seattle Storm gets underway in Washington. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the country, the Connecticut Sun wrapped up a must-win Game 4 of their own vs. the Chicago Sky, winning 104-80. DeWanna Bonner and Courtney Williams each recorded 19 points, while Alyssa Thomas added 14. The series returns to Chicago on Thursday for the decisive Game 5 (8 p.m. ET on ESPN2).

9:15 Q1: Kelsey Plum makes back-to-back layups to give Las Vegas a 4-0 lead.

7:11 Q1: Sue Bird caps off a 7-0 Seattle run with a three-pointer from 25 feet (video below).

5:35 Q1: Breanna Stewart follows up a three-pointer from 24 feet with a driving layup and the Storm make it a 12-0 run. Seattle leads 12-7 as Las Vegas calls a timeout.

3:10 Q1: Breanna Stewart makes her third three-pointer of the quarter as Seattle goes up 20-14. Fun fact: Stewart has not lost a playoff series in her WNBA career.

1:24 Q1: Aces’ Riquna Williams comes off the bench and makes a 24-foot three-point jumper to bring Las Vegas within three as Seattle leads 20-17.

0:00 Q1: Seattle ends the quarter with a 23-19 lead. Breanna Stewart leads all scorers with 13 points, while Kelsey Plum leads Las Vegas scoring with 10.

“It’s actually not that difficult,” Sue Bird told ESPN ahead of tipoff regarding the possibility of it being the last game of her career. “I’m thinking about the game. I’m approaching this like every other game. I’m very aware what happens at the end of this game, or what could happen, but I’m really not thinking about it that. That’ll be there waiting for me no matter what. So might as well focus on this and try to get to a Game 5.”

Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm – Leading scorers ahead of Game 4

Aces leading scorers (points average):

  • Kelsey Plum, 20.2
  • A’ja Wilson, 19.5
  • Jackie Young, 15.9
  • Chelsea Gray, 13.7
  • Dearica Hamby, 9.3

Storm leading scorers (points average):

  • Breanna Stewart, 21.8
  • Jewell Loyd, 16.3
  • Tina Charles, 14.8
  • Ezi Magbegor, 9.5
  • Sue Bird, 7.8

What they’re saying ahead of Game 4 between Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm:

Seattle’s Sue Bird on bouncing back from Game 3 loss: “You just do. I don’t think any of us have forgotten, but at the same time, the beauty of sports, once the ball gets tipped, you can stay in that moment. Once the game goes, you’re so in the game. I think the same kind of logic applies to recovering from a loss like we had the other night. You think about it, you think about it, and once the ball gets tipped, you just play the game.”

Aces head coach Becky Hammon on facing four-time champion Storm: “You’re going to need a cushion against this team, because they’re not going anywhere. They’re going to always make a run, they’re never going away. So it’s about being locked in for the entire game, and executing.”

Storm forward Breanna Stewart regarding mindset for Game 4: “We need to just learn from today and take that to Game 4. You know, our backs are now against the wall, if you will., and it’s win or go home.”

Las Vegas’ A’ja Wilson on key to Game 3 win: “This is what we do. At the end of the day, we got to stay locked in. We’re playing in a hard place to play, but that’s how champions are born. …So for us, we just got to continue to stay locked into who we are. And I think the biggest thing is kind of what Chelsea [Gray] said: Just staying composed. We’re playing against the Seattle team that’s been here before, that can wave the storm — no pun intended — and the biggest thing is for us to be mentally tough in those situations.”

Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm: How to watch tonight’s game

  • WNBA Semifinal Game #4: ESPN2 (10pm ET, 7pm local)

More Women's Sports News

Head of USA Gymnastics Li Li Leung.
Li Li Leung talks USA Gymnastics’ cultural transformation, challenges...
Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand tees off on the eleventh hole during Day One of the HSBC Women's World Championship.
2023 Mizuho Americas Open: How to watch, who’s playing in inaugural LPGA...
Sloane Stephens of the US hits a return during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open.
Sloane Stephens gets candid about turning 30, favorite self-care practices...

Li Li Leung talks USA Gymnastics’ cultural transformation, challenges still to come and embracing her AAPI heritage

By May 31, 2023, 9:59 AM EDT
Head of USA Gymnastics Li Li Leung.
Getty Images
0 Comments

Li Li Leung joined USA Gymnastics as president and CEO in March 2019, when the organization was reeling from the fallout of Larry Nassar’s widespread sexual abuse and the subsequent revelations of larger cultural issues within the sport. Since then, Leung has seen USAG through an ongoing transformation, one that hinges on the work of the survivors and staff around her, whom she is quick to credit. That evolution, as she calls it, has included instituting new norms and standards at all levels of the sport, particularly in matters related to athlete safety.

Among the notable USAG initiatives that Leung has brought to fruition is the Athlete Bill of Rights, established in December 2020 as a tool “to unite the full gymnastics community around a shared vision of behavioral expectations.” At the same time, USAG instituted a protest policy for national team members aimed at supporting athletes who choose to use their voice on public platforms. Both initiatives were among the first of their kind in sport.

Prior to joining USAG, Leung served as a vice president at the National Basketball Association (NBA), where she was responsible for building and managing key partner relationships around the world. She continues to use that experience in her roles as vice chair of the National Governing Bodies Council of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and a member of the International Gymnastics Federation’s Executive Committee.

Leung, who began competing in gymnastics at age 7, was a member of the U.S. junior national training team and represented the U.S. at the 1988 Junior Pan American Games. She was a four-year member of the four-time Big 10 champion University of Michigan gymnastics team and was an NCAA Championships participant.

In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, On Her Turf sat down with Leung to talk about her journey with USAG, the challenges still to come and how being a member of the AAPI community has shaped the person she is today.

ALSO FROM ON HER TURF: Sloane Stephens gets candid about turning 30, favorite self-care practices and freezing her eggs ahead of 12th French Open

This Q+A has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

On Her Turf: Let’s start by talking about your journey since joining USA Gymnastics in 2019. What have the last four years been like for you?

Li Li Leung: This was just an incredible opportunity to give back to the sport that has given so much to me. And I really mean that because I started in the sport when I was 7 years old and did it for 15 years. It’s taught me all of these different skills that I apply to my daily life, both professional and personal. It feels a little bit like I’ve come full circle, and honestly, never in a million years did I think I would find myself in this role. … I joined at a time when it was a tumultuous time for the organization. It’s been just a little a little over four years now, and it has been an incredible journey — and believe it or not, I have enjoyed it. While it hasn’t been easy, I actually have enjoyed it, because I’ve been able to make it not just me. One thing that’s important to note is that — I had even said on my first interview with the board — it will take a village to accomplish what we need to accomplish. This is not a one-person job. And I was lucky enough to be able to bring on a leadership team that has been incredible, and also retain the staff that we have retained, as well as hire other new staff members. And it’s because of them and some really key volunteers that we’ve been able to accomplish what we’ve been able to do.

OHT: Can you talk a little more about this cultural transformation that the organization has experienced and your approach to tackling this all-encompassing change?

Leung: When I was interviewing for the position, I actually met every single board member. It was really critical to both sides that they felt that I matched the role and their needs and also I had to be confident in the board believing in the ultimate mission of the organization and what we wanted to achieve. So that the culture really does stem from the well – from the top down and everything in between as well. And when I was looking for leadership team, … one of the characteristics I was really looking for was they couldn’t have an ego. The job couldn’t be about themselves or about what they would personally get out of the role. It had to be about them believing in the bigger picture and believing in what we collectively wanted to achieve. I knew that we would only be able to accomplish what we need to accomplish if people were willing to roll up their sleeves and just do whatever needed to be done, so that was one of the key things in terms of having no ego.

Since 2018, we’ve turned over more than 70 percent of our staff. We’ve been able to retain the really key members of our staff, who have been critical to our success, but also have been able to really bring in new thinking, new blood, new perspectives. Because the other thing I was looking for when I was hiring for the leadership team was diversity in perspectives. That was critical because I did not want to be surrounded by “yes people.” I wanted to be surrounded by people who would be willing to have really robust conversations and engage in difficult conversations, because ultimately, you end up in a better place because of that.

In 2020, we reset our mission to be about building a community and culture of health, safety and excellence, with athletes who thrive in sport and in life. So we were no longer about developing technically superior gymnasts who perform well in gym. We reset our focus to be about helping set our athletes up for success with the skill sets that you learn in gymnastics, and when we come to the office each day, that’s what we’re thinking about. …

The other piece is we also know from a community standpoint that our national team coaches are the most visible representation (of USAG), and a lot of coaches model them. So we’ve been working really hard in terms of working on educating our national team coaches. We work with Positive Coaching Alliance to do educational training with them as well. And we also have introduced training specifically for young coaches coming in, because we know when they come in and they’re new, that they’re eager to learn, and that’s when you can start training and moving them in a way. So our thinking is with this top-down and bottom-up strategy, eventually the middle will meet.

OHT: You noted how the coaches can be some of the most visible representatives of USAG. Regarding the addition of 2008 Olympic silver medalists Chellsie Memmel (USAG technical lead) and Alicia Sacramone Quinn (USAG strategic lead), how have those women impacted the program?

Leung: The addition of Chellsie and Alicia has been fantastic. They have been phenomenal to work with, and the fact that they have firsthand experience of having gone through it themselves – that also gives them a very good idea of what they would change and what they wouldn’t change, at the same time. It has been a phenomenal addition to be able to have this perspective of firsthand, high-level, high-performing athletes to be able to lead our high-performance team. And the athletes are saying it as well. They’re saying, “We trust them; we feel confident in their decisions; we can relate to them” — all of those things that historically haven’t really happened before.

Then in terms of the athletes who are going to college and coming back to compete with USA Gymnastics – there are so many aspects that I think are great about this. One: It’s showing a lengthened career in a sport that historically has not been very long because it’s so demanding on the body. So that means that our athletes are physically healthier, as well, that they can train and compete at a high level for a longer period of time. It also means that they’re enjoying it more because they’re staying in the sport. From an emotional standpoint, they’re finding a lot more joy in the sport, and they’re talking about it, too. And we love the fact that they’re talking about it. We want them to talk about it, and we want them to have voices and feel open and free about sharing what they’re thinking about. I have to say I’ve been really enjoying seeing almost like — I’m not sure if I can go as far as a new era in the sport maybe — but just this evolution of the sport and the athletes changing in front of my eyes.

OHT: What do you consider now to still be the biggest challenge or obstacle for USAG?

Leung: There are a couple of big initiatives on the list. One is we want to build a training and wellness center where all of our disciplines will train under one roof. This is a long-term project, obviously, but my vision around it is that it will be the heart and hub of gymnastics in America. And while this is where national team athletes will ultimately train to some extent, it is going to be a welcoming place for athletes of all different disciplines and all different levels. We want it to be a place where young athletes can come through and see their role models training. We want this to be a place of education for our community and judges. We want to be able to run clinics there for all different levels. We just want this to be a gathering place of gymnastics and to be able to celebrate the sport there at the same time.

We’re also going to reset our foundation. There’s been the National Gymnastics Foundation, but we are going to reset it and basically be much more proactive on fundraising and development to grow the sport and also to raise more money for athletes in their training.

OHT: Turning to AAPI Heritage Month and being named to the 2023 Gold House A100 List (the A100 is named each May honoring 100 Asian Pacific leaders who made the greatest impact on culture and society over the past year). What did that honor mean to you?

Leung: It was such an incredible honor to be recognized by them, and my fellow honorees — when I read the list, I thought to myself, “I don’t belong.” There are some incredible names on that list. But again, I go back to what I said earlier: I owe this honor to a lot of the other people who work [at USAG]. I think the really important thing to recognize is that this was not done by just me. It was done by a lot of other people who are on staff and who aren’t getting the accolades or the recognition. But it was an incredible experience to be, and I’m very, very touched and honored to be on that list.

OHT: How do you identify within the Asian American Pacific Islander community? Did you embrace your heritage growing up and how has that shaped who you are today?

Leung: So I’ll tell you a story that I’ve mentioned to other people recently. I grew up in a town called Ridgewood in Bergen County, New Jersey, and most of my friends had blond hair and blue eyes. When I was growing up, I wanted the name “Nancy Smith,” and I wanted blue eyes. I wanted to fit in. As a kid, you always want to fit in. Then when you get older and wizen up a little bit, you realize that it’s okay and it’s good to be different, that you can use that to your advantage. And so upon growing up, I realized that it’s pretty special to be Asian American and there are benefits to being Asian American, and you should embrace the fact that you are different. In fact, I recently lectured to a women-in-sports-business class, and one of the questions they asked me was about impostor syndrome. I said the same thing that I’m saying to you now, which is absolutely embrace who you are. Absolutely embrace your differences, because those ultimately are embedded advantages to who you are and make you stand out from the rest of the crowd. So that’s my philosophy now.

OHT: Do you or your family have any traditions that are especially important to you?

Leung: I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a tradition, but in the Chinese culture, food is really important. Food is what brings people together. It’s a sign of respect, and that is the ultimate unifying language in a way. So when we do get together as a family, it’s really important for us to get together around a meal, because that’s when we share our stories. That’s when we connect with one another.

OHT: You might have just answered my next question, but I want to ask: What brings you joy about your heritage and culture?

Leung: It’s funny, I was actually at a conference last week and you were supposed to find someone you didn’t know in the conference and share a secret talent that you have. I shared that I can eat a lot more than most people think. Food is a really important part of our culture and in my upbringing and family.

OHT: Lastly, I wanted to ask, as we’ve seen an increase in hate-filled actions toward the AAPI community, what does supporting the AAPI community look like for you?

Leung: Well, I think kind of going back to my other answer, it’s just about embracing who you are and embracing your differences. I think part of it is being unafraid of it at the same time, which I know is really difficult. But if you’re going to truly embrace it, and then you can’t be afraid about embracing it at the same time.

MORE FROM ON HER TURF: Laureus award winner and three-time Olympic medalist Eileen Gu on Stanford, elevating women and changing the game

More Women's Sports News

Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand tees off on the eleventh hole during Day One of the HSBC Women's World Championship.
2023 Mizuho Americas Open: How to watch, who’s playing in inaugural LPGA...
Sloane Stephens of the US hits a return during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open.
Sloane Stephens gets candid about turning 30, favorite self-care practices...
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons celebrate with the trophy after winning the NCAA women’s Golf Championships.
2023 NCAA DI women’s golf championships: Wake Forest captures team...

2023 Mizuho Americas Open: How to watch, who’s playing in inaugural LPGA event at Liberty National GC

By May 30, 2023, 5:03 PM EDT
Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand tees off on the eleventh hole during Day One of the HSBC Women's World Championship.
Getty Images
0 Comments

The Statue of Liberty is the backdrop for this week’s inaugural Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, New Jersey. The tournament boasts a theme of mentorship and education, and includes a girls’ 72-hole, modified Stableford tournament featuring 24 juniors to go along with the 72-hole stroke-play event for 120 LPGA professionals.

The field is led by seven of the top 10 players on the Rolex Rankings including world No. 1 Jin Young Ko, No. 3 Lydia Ko, No. 4 Lilia Vu and No. 5 Minjee Lee. Also teeing it up this week are the finalists from Sunday’s Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play, where Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn captured her second LPGA title with a 3-and-1 victory over Japan’s Ayaka Furue.

Michelle Wie West is serving as the tournament host, and she’ll be on hand to welcome fellow Stanford alum Rose Zhang, who’s fresh off her second straight NCAA individual title and turned professional just last week. Zhang will have her first go at an LPGA prize purse, which tops out at $2.75 million this week with the winner taking home $412,500.

How to watch the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open

You can watch the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open on Golf Channel, Peacock, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. Check out the complete TV and streaming schedule:

  • Thursday, June 1: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ET, Golf Channel and Peacock
  • Friday, June 2: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ET, Golf Channel and Peacock
  • Saturday, June 3: 5-8 p.m. ET, Golf Channel and Peacock
  • Sunday, June 4: 4:30-5 p.m. ET (streaming only on Peacock); 5-7:30 p.m. ET, Golf Channel and Peacock

ALSO FROM ON HER TURF: Wake Forest captures team title at 2023 NCAA DI women’s golf championships, Stanford’s Rose Zhang wins individual crown

Who’s playing in the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open?

The 120-player field features seven of the top 10 players (and 16 of the top 25 player) on the Rolex Rankings:

  • No. 1 Jin Young Ko
  • No. 3 Lydia Ko
  • No. 4 Lilia Vu
  • No. 5 Minjee Lee
  • No. 6 Atthaya Thitikul
  • No. 8 Brooke Henderson
  • No. 9 Georgia Hall

Also in the field are 2023 winners Celine Boutier (LPGA Drive On Championship), Ruoning Yin (DIO Implant LA Open) and Grace Kim (LOTTE Championship), plus several sponsor exemptions including reigning NCAA individual champion Rose Zhang and her Stanford teammate Megha Ganne. Ganne, a native of Holmdel, N.J., finished T-21 at the recent NCAAs and is playing as an amateur. Joining them as an exemption is fellow Cardinal Mariah Stackhouse, who has conditional status on tour in 2023. Monday qualifiers include tour rookie Alexa Pano and Australia’s Sarah Jane Smith.

Among the notable juniors expected to play are 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur winner Anna Davis, 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior winner Yana Wilson and 2022 U.S. Junior Girls’ runnerup Gianna Clemente. The 24 junior players were invited through their standings in the Rolex AJGA Rankings.

What’s the format for the Mizuho Americas Open?

The professionals will play a 72-hole stroke-play competition, with a cut to the top 50 and ties after 36 holes. The 24 juniors will play a 72-hole, no-cut competition using the modified Stableford scoring format and a different yardage than the pros.

During the first two rounds, the AJGA players will all be paired together. During the final two rounds, one junior player will play with two LPGA pros with groupings based on scores. This unique format marks the first time the AJGA and LPGA have partnered to showcase junior and professional competitors playing together.

Stableford scoring refresher: “Stableford” is a scoring system that awards points for the number of strokes taken on each hole in relation to par, rather than simply counting strokes like in stroke play. Unlike in stroke play, where players want the lowest score, the goal in Stableford scoring is to have the highest score. Standard Stableford points values are:

  • 0 Points – Double bogey or worse (two strokes or more over par)
  • 1 Point – Bogey (one stroke over par)
  • 2 Points – Par
  • 3 Points – Birdie (one stroke under par)
  • 4 Points – Eagle (two strokes under par)
  • 5 Points – Albatross or double eagle (three strokes under par)
  • 6 Points – Condor (four strokes under par)

More about Liberty National Golf Club

Located on the shore of the Upper Bay of New York Harbor, Liberty National Golf Club was designed by Bob Cupp and Tom Kite and officially opened on July 4, 2006. After the course received mixed reviews following the PGA Tour’s Northern Trust in 2009, the course underwent a renovation led by Steve Wenzloff of PGA Tour Design Services. Of note, the course hosted an event during the PGA Tour Playoffs four times (2009, 2013, 2019 and 2021) as well as the 2017 Presidents Cup, where the U.S. defeated the Internationals 19-11 for the Americans’ seventh consecutive victory in the competition and its 10th straight win overall. For this week’s event, the course will play to a par of 72 with an unofficial scorecard yardage of 6,671 yards.

MORE FROM ON HER TURF: Laureus award winner and three-time Olympic medalist Eileen Gu on Stanford, elevating women and changing the game

More Women's Sports News

Head of USA Gymnastics Li Li Leung.
Li Li Leung talks USA Gymnastics’ cultural transformation, challenges...
Sloane Stephens of the US hits a return during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open.
Sloane Stephens gets candid about turning 30, favorite self-care practices...
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons celebrate with the trophy after winning the NCAA women’s Golf Championships.
2023 NCAA DI women’s golf championships: Wake Forest captures team...