Ruffle channels Payne Stewart

Gabi Ruffels returns to a very comfortable place with the North and South Amateur. Photo: pinehurst.com

** courtesy of www.pinehurst.com/news **

A year after almost winning the North and South Amateur, Victorian Gabi Ruffels is well on its way to Pinehurst.

Rising University of Southern California junior Gabi Ruffels returned to the semi-final today and defeated American Dylan Kim 2 & 1

And Ruffels does it by taking a page from Payne Stewart's playbook.

Before the US Open 1999 men at the iconic North Carolina resort, Stewart mapped the most difficult areas around Pinehurst No.2.

He then went back with his caddy, Mike Hicks, to make a plan about carefully avoiding those places at all costs.

Ruffels essentially does the same.

"For each recording I ask my caddy, & # 39; Where is the best place to miss? & # 39; And I think this really helps me get into No.2 and be patient, & # 39; said Ruffels after her victory.

"Because if you find yourself in the wrong places on this course, you're done."

Kim played well to start the game and took a 2-up lead through five holes.

But Ruffels, a member of the Victoria Golf Club, won the next four holes to take a lead she would never give up to set up a collision with university rival Emilia Migliaccio.

After being second to Stephanie Lau a year ago, Ruffels is again one win away from the final in which she would potentially meet a good New South Wales mate, Doey Choi.

Choi sparkled today to win 3 & 1 and plays Christine Wang, who will also attend USC this year, in the other half.