SYLVANIA, Ohio —
St. Ursula Academy graduate Lizzie Win will represent northwest Ohio at the Marathon Classic after winning this year's qualifier held at Sylvania Country Club Monday afternoon.
She won't be the only one representing the area: Toledo native Stacey Lewis also made it to the marathon.
Win, a current senior at Seton Hall University, finished with a score of 72 (even par), beating out all other competitors.
“Third time's the charm. It was my third time playing in it,” Win told reporters after the match. “I did what I had to do. It’s extremely satisfying.”
This will not be Win’s first time at the Marathon Classic. Last year, she received the nod via sponsors exemption. Even with the win today, she feels that much of the excitement was left with last year’s call. This year was more of a feeling of taking care of business.
“It was pretty special. I wouldn’t say it was as exciting as it was last year. That was unexpected,” she said. “This year was more like my hard work is paying off. I played for this spot and I got it. It is pretty exciting. I’m really happy.”
After receiving an opportunity to play in last year’s tournament, it sparked a flame in her game. She caught fire with a hot finish at Seton Hall.
Among her several accolades last season, she received the Pirate Award as the team’s best player, was All-Big East Team and All-Big East Tournament team. Win feels that a strong finish at last year’s Marathon Classic provided momentum to her collegiate season and ultimately to today.
“I would say my game was in a better place now than what it was a year ago,” she said. “I have a Marathon Classic under my belt and I had a pretty solid junior year at Seton Hall. Coming into this I felt pretty strong.
“It was definitely good reassurance for my golf game. I ended up shooting even-par my second day at the Marathon Classic. I ended up with birdie on the last hole. That definitely gave me a boost into my junior year at Seton Hall. I ended up getting second at conference and that gave me a boost heading into the summer. It’s been a great ride so far.”
That boost included playing in the Women’s British Amateur Championship in Northern Ireland, as well as winning today’s qualifier. She hopes that boost will continue into the end of this weekend with a great showing at the Marathon Classic.
“Hopefully how I ended last year is a good sign for things to come this year. Having dealt with those pressures last year is kind of a weight off my shoulders going into this year,” she said confidently. “Hopefully I can go out there and make the cut this year.