Out-of-state college standout dominates Kentucky Open. A change in rules got her in.
A recent college graduate who left an indelible mark on her university’s golf program just made a name for herself in Kentucky.
Nishtha Madan came roaring out of the gate and barely let up over the course of two days on her way to winning the 24th Women’s Kentucky Open at Heritage Hill Golf Club in Shepherdsville on Wednesday.
Madan opened the tournament with four straight birdies and carded four more on the back nine as she shot a 7-under 65 to build a 3-stroke lead after Tuesday’s first round. That advantage held up, as she posted six more birdies and shot a 67 in the final round to finish at 12-under for a three-stroke victory.
Madan, who was born in India and currently lives in Grand Rapids, Mich., graduated from Sacramento State this spring. She was named to the All-Big Sky Conference First Team after her senior season and her career scoring average of 74.53 is the best in program history.
Until recently, Madan would not have been eligible to compete in the Kentucky Open because it was limited to Kentucky residents. That restriction was lifted ahead of last year’s tournament, paving the way for Madan’s participation.
“I’ve literally just been on the internet looking for tournaments to play in,” Madan said following Tuesday’s first round. “I searched state by state looking to see when each Open was and if it had already happened, and this one fell perfectly with my schedule and being able to travel down here.”
Elizabethtown native and University of Louisville golfer Lauren Hartlage, who was named an Honorable Mention All-American following her spring season with the Cardinals, finished at 9-under after a stellar second round in which she fired a 65.
Hartlage will suit up for the Cards again next season after accepting an extra year of eligibility, which was offered by the NCAA to spring sports athletes after the coronavirus pandemic cut short their seasons. Hartlage’s former teammate, Delaney Shah, also shot a 9-under to tie for second place. The top three finishers were the only golfers to shoot under par in both rounds of the tournament.
University of Kentucky senior-to-be Sarah Fite, of Maysville, finished tied for 20th at 5-over, shooting a 74 and a 75.
With two groups left on the course Wednesday afternoon, play was suspended for about 90 minutes because of a thunderstorm. When the tournament resumed, Hartlage had a chance to put some pressure on Madan, but her birdie attempt on No. 18 missed by inches.
With Hartlage headed to the clubhouse, Madan took a 2-shot lead into her final three holes. After another weather delay, Madan made back-to-back pars then closed the tournament with a birdie on No. 18.
Hartlage drew even with Madan with consecutive birdies on holes No. 12 and 13, but Madan stretched the advantage back to two strokes with a birdie on No. 14 after Hartlage bogeyed the hole.
“I never looked at the leaderboard throughout the round, but during the rain delay I saw how great Lauren had played and knew I just had to do more of the same to finish,” Madan said.
Madan bogeyed just two holes combined in both rounds of the Kentucky Open. She hopes her victory can act as a springboard as she works to get her professional career up and running.
“My hope is that my next tournament will be in Arizona the first week of August, but I’m looking ahead to (Qualifying School) later this year and hoping I can get status on (the LPGA) Tour as soon as 2022,” Madan said.
Results
1. Nishtha Madan, -12
t2. Lauren Hartlage, -9
t2. Delaney Shah, -9
t4. Moyea Russell, -1
t4. Natalia Sompolvorachai, -1
t4. Rylee Suttor, -1
t7. Meghan Nay, E
t7. Teri Doss, E
t9. MacKenzie Neal, +1
t9. Alexis Daniel, +1
t9. Taylor Edlin, +1
t9. Carlee Shoemaker, +1
13. Sarah Hinton, +2
t14. Macie Brown, +3
t14. Keasha Phillips, +3
t14. Andie Shukow, +3
t14. Sara Stephens, +3
t18. Namuunaa Nadmid, +4
t18. Abby Kiefer, +4
t20. Gracie Parrott, +5
t20. Lauren Thibodeau, +5
t20. Amanda Dixon, +5
t20. Sarah Fite, +5
t24. Christine Lindsey, +6
t24. Millie Lawson, +6
t24. Caroline McCrorey, +6
t24. Erin Bradford, +6
28. Alex Bruce, +7
29. Rebecca Black, +8
t30. Hannah McCrabb, +9
32. Maria Agustina Gomez Cisterna, +10
33. Allison Leigeb, +11
34. Charli Doss, +12
t35. Hannah Curreri, +13
t35. Madison Cecil, +13
t37. Emilie Hill, +14
t37. Faith Wiley, +14
t37. Taryn Walker, +14
t37. Casey Powell, +14
41. Sarah Black, +19
42. Alaina Schmitt, +20
43. Emma Payne, +21
44. Isabella Wiley, +23
45. Emily Allen, +24
46. Bailey Wiegandt, +39
47. Libby Gilliland, +43
48. Madison Harding, +46
49. Grace Bryant, +51
This story was originally published July 22, 2020 at 10:11 PM.
