Amelie Phung Prevails in Playoff Over Sister at 62nd NYS Girls' 18U

July 02, 2025

WILTON N.Y. –  In the battle that forced an extra hole, the Met Area’s Phung sisters both finished the 54-hole championship tied at 9-under par. 

The New York State Girls’ 18U Junior Amateur Championship was decided in a playoff at McGregor Links Country Club. Older sister, Amelie Phung prevailed and became the 62nd NYS Girls’ 18U Junior Champion.

The 17-year-old was victorious on the first playoff hole after both hitting into the bunker. Amelie hit her shot close enough for a tap in par, while little sister Alexandra Phung, 14, placed her shot a little further. Alexandra missed her putt, and the playoff was over.

Related: Championship Central / Results / Photos / Rd 1 Recap

Both rounds two and three took place on Wednesday in Wilton, with a head-to-head showdown between the sisters Amelie and Alexandra, both representing the MET PGA Junior Golf Club. The two were in the last pairing together on Wednesday's final day of competition.

With all three rounds of the tournament under-par, Amelie had a two stroke lead going into round two. Alexandra, who won the Girls’ 14U Junior Amateur title in 2023 at the Lake Placid Club, came out in round two and fired two birdies and an eagle to put her in position and one shot behind her sister going into the final round on Wednesday afternoon.

From there on out Amelie went on fire, carding five birdies, and the only player to shoot all three rounds under par for the championship. 

Amelie on what it means to win the 18U Championship, 

“I was just glad to put up a good finish, coming off an event where I lost in a playoff there and it was a really tough finish. I really thought it could have had a better outcome.”

“Coming into this tournament just with a desire to play the best I could, and I did what I could with what I had.”

She is now exempt to play in the 2025 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Georgia. She is committed to playing collegiate Division I golf at Rice University. 

Finishing behind Alexandra at six-under,  was the defending New York State 18U Girls’ Champion Sophia Li of MGA eClub - New York City. Li was seeking two in a row and three overall, but couldn't catch the sisters at the end of the day coming in solo third. 

Emma Lee, of Westchester Country Club finished behind Li at three-under shooting two-under 70 in round two and the same in the final round.

Nina Choe, of Pelham Country Club, won the 2025 NYSPHSAA Girls' Golf Championship last month, finished at one-under for the tournament and a solo fifth placement.

Yasmina Oralkhan, of Youth on Course-MGA shot even par for the tournament and finished solo sixth. Hayden Knapp, of Glens Falls Country Club concluded her week tied for seventh along with Daniella Elizabeth Sutor, of Met PGA Junior Golf Club both finishing at three over par. Jordan Levitt, of Youth On Course - MGA and the 2023 NYS Girls’ 18U champion at the Lake Placid Club claimed T9 at four-over par for the three rounds. She was tied with Aliya Liberatore, of Yahnundasis Golf Club with a final round two-under 70.

Age group winners were also identified during this year's championship: Sophia Li of MGA eClub - NYC (Girls 18 Flight), Daniella Elizabeth Sutor of Met PGA Junior Golf Club (Girls 17 Flight), Nina Choe of Pelham Country Club (Girls 16 Flight), and Yasmina Oralkhan of Youth on Course (Girls 15 Flight).

The course was set up at 5,838 yards and played to a par of 72 for the Girls’ field.