NCAA's: Washington Women Win In Spectacular Fashion

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Jay Coffin at GolfChannel.com recaps Washington's ultra-close win over Stanford which was highlighted by Ying Luo holing out from the fairway to put away Stanford's Casey Danielson. While it didn't clinch the title, it was as close as a walk-off as you can get with other matches still on the course.

Coffin writes:

Just when it looked like the match was destined for extra holes, Luo, a senior playing in her last-ever round for Washington, holed out for birdie from 45 yards to win the match.

That’s what prompted Aubert, in shock for several seconds, to finally deliver the line, “you have to clap.”

“When I was standing behind the shot, I was imagining it going in,” Luo said. “That was unbelievable.”

Note in Coffin's story and in the video how classy the Cardinal handle defeat.

As great as the play was, congratulations to Washington and multiple athletic directors for sticking with a coach for so long.

Washington coach Mary Lou Mulflur just completed her 33rd year at the helm of the Huskies. She’s had good teams over the years. She’s had great teams over the years. She’s never won an NCAA title.

“You just keep playing until somebody tells you to stop,” Mulflur said. “We knew today was going to be just like it was.

“This is a surreal moment for me.”

Kevin Casey with the Golfweek.com game story, including the uncertainty over the actual clinching moment.

When Kim’s 15-foot par putt on the second extra hole missed right – “the speed was a little off and I think I could have aimed more inside the hole,” Kim said – giving the Huskies the national title, they weren’t even sure.

Freshman Wenyung Keh audibly asked, “Did we just win?” Senior Charlotte Thomas thought Alavarez still had a 3-4 footer to hole. And Mulflur froze, on account of the earlier mistake.

“I stopped and paused in my mind for a moment,” Mulflur said, “I wanted to make sure, sure it was over.”

Tracy Wilcox's Golfweek photo gallery of the final match is worth checking out, including the epic shot of coach Mulfur.

I heard from several who watched thanks to a blowout NBA game and there was enthusiasm for the format.

Lance Ringler for Golfweek on year two of the match play finale.

For 17 years, I have witnessed the NCAA Division I Women’s Championship and the last two trump the previous 15 – and it’s really not even close. In those championships, from 2000 to ’14, I can’t say there is much that stands out.

The last two championship weeks equal more memories than I have fingers.

What college golf and the folks in their homes are witnessing is Ryder Cup-like.

G.C. Digital with his favorite stats from the match, covering both sides.

The social media attention suggested folks were paying attention outside of golf: