After heavy rains washed out the opening round Thursday at Edinburgh USA, the championship was shortened to 18 holes Friday, where Hillman’s 2-under 70 to earned her a one-stroke victory.
“A win means a lot—to see all the hard work pay off,” Hillman said following her round Friday. “It gives me some more confidence and momentum going into my senior season.
“I had a good start and gained some momentum going into the front, had the double-bogey, but then I was able to turn it around.”
Starting her round from the 10th tee Friday, Hillman got off to a fast start Friday with a pair of birdies over her first three before rolling in her third birdie of her front side at the par-4 17th, sinking her putt from six feet.
A double-bogey at the par-4 third put Hillman at 1-under for the tournament, but the 22-year-old would roll in her birdie opportunity from four feet at the fifth to reach 2-under where she’d finish following consecutive pars to post a round of 70.
“I hit some greens and was able to make some putts,” Hillman said. “Being in the fairway and hitting it close obviously helped.”
Following an opening-round 83 to begin the Minnesota Golf Association Women’s Amateur a week ago, Hillman fired a 4-over 76 during the final round to finish in a tie for 16th place.
“I didn’t have many expectations coming in. I just wanted to do the best I could and keep working on the swing thoughts I had,” she said.
A Hudson, Wis., native, Hillman began her collegiate career at University of Sioux Falls, where she won the Jimmie Spring Swing Tournament and earned NSIC Player of the Week honors.
She played her sophomore season at Ball State University before transferring to St. Kate’s for the 2023-24 season, playing in 11 events with a season scoring average of 78.6, while notching a pair of top-5 finishes.
Hillman will begin her senior season with the Wildcats this fall.
Regaining her amateur status this season, the two-time champion Kelly battled back from an early bogey Friday by sinking three consecutive birdie chances beginning at the par-4 third to reach 2-under for the championship.
Giving back a stroke with a bogey at the eighth, Kelly converted her birdie chance from inside of six feet at the par-5 ninth to reach 2-under for the round once again.
Unable to continue her momentum to her inward nine, Kelly took a three-putt bogey at the 10th.
The former professional took advantage of a par-5 for the third time during her round Friday with a tap-in birdie at the 15th, but a bogey at the 17th proved fatal as Kelly two-putted for par at the last to card a 1-under 71, one short of Hillman.
“I had it going, but I just made too many mistakes,” Kelly said following her round Friday. “I had four birdies on the front, which is great, but made some dumb bogeys on the par-3s. Where I screwed up was coming in—I knew [No. 17] was going to make or break the tournament. I missed a two-footer there and then made another mistake on 18.
“I haven’t competed really at all this year. I’m trying to play an easier game and it’s been really good the last few weeks. My ball-striking has been so good, and it showed today because I had five birdies, but made too many mistakes. I’ve got to tighten it up.”
As a professional, Kelly won the 2021 championship at Minnesota Valley Country Club and successfully defended her title the following season at Rush Creek Golf Club.
Lauren Chambs, a soon-to-be junior at Wayzata High School, tallied a pair of late birdies to post an even par 72 to finish alone in third place, while Furman University sophomore Kelsi Mauzy finished in fourth place following a round of 1-over 73.
THE 24TH MINNESOTA WOMEN’S STATE OPEN
EDINBURGH USA
BROOKLYN PARK, MINN.
6,097 YARDS, PAR 72
FRIDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
1. Paige Hillman, White Eagle GC, 37-33—70
2. Betsy Kelly, TPC Twin Cities, 34-37—71
3. Lauren Chambs, Rush Creek GC, 37-35—72
4. Kelsi Mauzy, Legends Club, 35-38—73
T5. Nicole Reineke, Chaska TC, 34-40—74
T5. Lily Vincelli, MN YOC, 35-39—74
T5. Isabella McCauley, Southview CC, 33-41—74
T8. McKenna Mallow, Detroit CC, 39-36—75
T8. Camille Kuznik, Pioneer Creek GC, 38-37—75
T8. Kathryn VanArragon, Bunker Hills GC, 37-38—75
T8. Jennifer Huber (p), Hazeltine Nat’l GC, 36-39–75
T8. Kyra Venne, Midland Hills CC, 38-37—75
For complete tournament results go to: https://mnpga.bluegolf.com/