Wilson Living Up to Hype and In the Zone
Yana Wilson, from Henderson, Nev., won the 2022 U.S. Girls Junior and earned low medalist honors in the 2023 qualifying portion prior to match play. Her play prompted the USGA to send out a social media post with a Yana quote: “I was just in the zone.”
Wilson was talking about a four-hole birdie stretch during qualifying, but she could have just as easily been talking about her overall play for the last week, month, year and years.
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Wilson also won the LPGA Mizuho AJGA portion a few weeks prior to the U.S. Girls Junior and just keeps on impressing locally, regionally and nationally. She was also the runner-up in the American Junior Golf Association’s Rolex Girls Championship in John’s Island, S.C., and finished third in the Ping Heather Farr Classic in Mesa, Ariz., in April. And she also competed in the U.S. Women’s Open.
“[Medalist] definitely means a lot to me, but I tried to convince myself that it doesn’t really mean anything because we’re not even halfway through the championship, and hopefully I still have a lot of golf to play,” Wilson said. “I’m going to try and keep my head steady … and just keep grinding.”
Wilson’s reign at the U.S. Girls junior ended in the round of 32 when she lost in 20 holes to Yeji Kwon from Canada. Also qualifying for the event was Bryn Kort, from Coronado High. She also lost in the round of 32.
“Defending last year’s victory was no easy task, but I gave it my all and came up short this time,” Wilson posted on Instagram. “Still grateful for the opportunity to compete and earn medalist honors. Huge thanks to everyone who made this tournament possible.”
