Image captured from USGA social media video.
Westford’s Molly Smith, who currently stars for the University of Central Florida women’s golf squad, is all but assured of advancing to the match play round of the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament being played at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tennessee.
Smith, the oldest of three sisters who have dominated the local women’s golf scene, carded an even par 72 during Wednesday’s second round of stroke play, giving her a 36-hole total of 143 (-1). She currently sits tied for 14th place in a field of 156 competitors, which should easily qualify her for the top 64-players advancing to Match Play competition.
Play was suspended at 8:43pm Wednesday due to darkness. The second round will resume Thursday morning at 7:15am, with 31 players still needing to complete their rounds.
Smith’s opponent Thursday will be determined once Round 2 is complete. The winner will to advance to Friday, where the field gets pared to 32 and then 16 competitors. On Saturday, the field gets further reduced to eight and then four competitors, before the champion is determined over a 36-hole match play final contested on Sunday, August 9th.
Smith also qualified for the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her sisters, Morgan and Maddie, also qualified that year, with Morgan advancing to the Round of 64.
