Neisen Ties for 2nd in Stroke Play at US Women's APL

NESHANIC STATION, N.J. -- She was just trying to make the cut and qualify for match play, but Steffi Neisen wound up doing a lot better than that in the 36-hole stroke play portion of the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship. 

The former MGA first-team all-state high school player from New Prague made four birdies on her final nine holes Tuesday at Neshanic Valley Golf Course on the way to a second-round 68, which gave her a total of 138. With that, she tied for second place in the qualifying, along with Karen Chung of Livingston, N.J. Like Neisen, Chung followed an opening 70 with a 68.

Lisa McCluskey, a four-time All-American -- twice while she was at Pepperdine and then two more times after she transferred to USC -- from Houson, was the medalist. She started the day in a 13-way tie for sixth at 70, with Neisen and Chung, but she shot a 67 to post a 137 and claim a one-stroke victory.

Lakareber Abe, another Texan, finished alone in fourth at 139, after a second-round 71. 

Sarah Burnham, who still has two years left at Wayata High School, also qualified for match play, thanks to a pair of 73's that put her in a tie for 37th at 146. 

The top 64 players will advance to the match play part of the tournament, which begins Wednesday. 

Neisen's first-round opponent will be Lea Garner of Washington Terrace, Utah. She shot 149 (73-76), tied for 62nd place, and had to survive a 4-for-3 playoff to stay alive. 

Burnham will face Ashlan Ramsey of Milledgeville, Ga. Ramsey followed a first-round 71 with a 73, and the resulting 144 put her in a tie for 20th.  

UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION

Women's Amateur Public Links Championship

At Neshanic Valley Golf Course

Par 72, 6,176 yards

Neshanic Station, N.J. 

Final stroke play results (the top 64 players advance to the match play portion of the tournament) 

1. Lisa McCloskey, Houston                      70-67--137

T2. Steffi Neisen, New Prague                 70-68--138

T2. Karen Chung, Livingston, N.J.           70-68--138

4. Lakareber Abe, Angleton, Texas         68-71--139

T20. Kim Kaufman, Clark, S.D.               72-72--144

T37. Sarah Burnham, Wayzata              73-73--146

Missed cut (149) 

T86. Briana Mao, Folsom, Calif.           79-73--152

T143. Sarah Roering, Glenwood             82-81--163