Lexington’s Stephenson advances in USGA Women’s Amateur

Lexington’s Lauren Stephenson posted a pair of decisive victories Thursday and moved into the quarterfinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur in San Diego, Calif.

Stephenson, who plays on the University of Alabama’s highly-ranked women’s team, rolled to a 4 & 3 triumph over Jaravee Boonchant, a native of Thailand who will be a freshman at Duke in the fall. She won holes 11, 13 and 14 to take command.

The 20-year-old came back with a 5 & 4 conquest of University of Arizona player Gigi Stoll in the afternoon Round of 16. Stephenson put the match away by winning five of six holes starting at No. 6 and closed out the victory on No. 14.

In Friday’s semifinals, Stephenson will face junior star Chia Yen Wu, a native of Chinese Taipei, at 4:50 p.m. The four semifinal winners will clash in Saturday’s semifinals, and the 36-hole final is set for Sunday.

TV coverage begins at 6 p.m. on FS1.