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EAST SETAUKET, N.Y. — Opening round play at the 95th NYS Women's Amateur and 16th Women's Mid-Amateur took place at St. George's Golf and Country Club, in Long Island. 

The Women's Amateur field played 36 holes on Monday as 52 of New York State's best Women amateur golfers took the stage. Aliya Liberatore of Yahnundasis Golf Club came out with a first-round even par and a share of the lead at four-over for the first two rounds. Hayden Knapp of Glens Falls Country Club posted a first round of one-over par 72 and a second round of three-over par, sharing the lead of 4-over par. The 2023 NYS Women's Amateur Champion, Lily Zhang of Park Country Club, found her game with a first-round score of three-over par and a second-round score of one-over par. 

 Liberatore spoke on her round, "I worked so hard for this, I feel like if I play the way I play today and keep making pars and do this tomorrow, I can do something good." 

"I hit my putts close, and hit fairways. I played really steady and wanted to attack the pins no matter where they were."

 Wrapping up the top five, a two-way tie in fourth place with another NYS Women's Amateur Champion, Kennedy Swedick, of NYSGA eClub - Capital Region, claimed the title at McGregor Links in 2022, today she finished with a first round of two-over 73 and a second round of four-over, and two shots back of the lead. Also tied for fourth place is Amanda Phillips, of MGA eClub - New York City, who shot two rounds both three-over par. Ina Kim-Schaad, of Deepdale Golf Club, won this tournament last year. This time around, she sits in a tie for sixth place at eight-over par. Renna Chang, of Youth on Course - MGA, and Mackenzie Tyler, of The Rock Golf Club (recently won the Long Island Women’s Amateur), are also tied for sixth place at eight-over par. Wrapping up the top ten, Erika Fuentes, of West Hills Country Club, is solo ninth at nine-over. Emma Lee, of Westchester Country Club, this year’s NYSPHSAA Girls’ Champion Nina Choe, of Pelham Country Club, and Isabel McMahon, of MGA eClub - Hudson Valley, are all tied for tenth at ten-over par.

A 36-hole cut in fell at +22 (164). 31 players advanced to play the final 18-holes tomorrow.

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For the Women's Mid-Amateur field, there was no cut and only 18 holes of play with another 18 scheduled for tomorrow for a tournament total of 36 holes. Beryl Wang, of MGA eClub - Hudson Valley, leads the field by one stroke after a round of six-over par, 77. Wang played collegiate golf at Yale University and was named the captain in 2019. 

Wang on the round, "The game felt solid coming into this week. Whenever I put myself in bad situations, I try to get myself out of them instead of playing the hero shot." 

"I'm happy with how today's round turned out, I dropped a couple shots on the putting green though. This is a wonderful golf course, and I feel so lucky to play this golf course."

Right behind Wang is Julie Murphy of Brookfield Country Club, turning in seven-over par on the day as she looks to hunt down the leader tomorrow. Samantha Schuffenecker, of Shaker Ridge Country Club, brought home the 2023 Women's Mid-AM Championship at Corning Country Club, is in third, four shots back of the lead at 11-over par. Lee Ann Lewis, of Southward Ho Country Club, is one shot back of Schuffenecker with a first-round score of 12-over par. Wrapping up the top-five with a share of fifth place, the defending champion in the mid-am field, Natalie Grainger, of Apawamis Club, turned in a score of 13-over par. Tied with Grainger for the share of fifth place is Katie Watkinson, of Westhampton Country Club. 

Final round resumes tomorrow with tee times starting at 7:30 for the mid-amateur field and 8:30 for the amateur field.