Knight notches another record in tourney

Former Aledo Ladycat golfer Cheyenne Knight now has a pair of records at the Old American Golf Club in The Colony.

In the final round of this past weekend’s Ascendant Volunteers of America Classic on the LPGA Tour, Knight posted an 8-under-par 63. It matches the lowest score ever recorded in the tournament and vaulted her from 21st to a tie for fifth in the final standings.

“It was nice to finish the tournament with a great round on Sunday. I feel like I’ve been playing well as of late — but nice for it to all come together,” Knight said.

Knight finished the tournament at 11 under par 273.

Lilia Vu also shot a 63 on the final day but did not finish as high as Knight in the standings. The other 63s shot in the tournament were by Dori Carter in 2017, Stephanie Meadow in 2019, and Jin Young Ko last year.

In her rookie year on the LPGA Tour, Knight won this tournament in record fashion. She shot an 18-under-par 266 over four days, the lowest score in tournament history. Her rounds were 66, 67, 67, 66 as she became the first female player from the University of Alabama to win on the LPGA Tour.

 “I have a lot of great memories at Old American. I’ve played the course a lot and the course fits my game well,” she said.

In her record-tying round Sunday, Knight made the turn after nine holes at 5-under-par 30. She birdied holes 1-3, along with No. 6 and 8. On the back nine she birdied No. 14, 15 and 17 for a 3-under 33.

Perhaps her best shot of the day, however, was on the final hole. She chipped in to save par and salvage her share of the record.

While she has yet to win a tournament this year, Knight is enjoying a good season on the tour. She has three top-five finishes and two more inside the top 12. She also tied for 15th at the U.S. Women’s Open.

“I’ve had a really solid year. Made every cut in all the majors. I’ve focused on what I need to do to play well. Process over result has been my mentality,” Knight said.

After winning back-to-back individual state golf championships for Aledo in 2014-15, Knight went on to great success at the University of Alabama. She was a three-time All-American and the 2017 Southeast Conference Player of the Year. She, along with the aforementioned Meadow and Camilla Lennarth, are the only Crimson Tide female golfers to earn first-team All-SEC honors three straight years.

Knight finished fourth in her final NCAA Championships for Alabama in 2018, opting to forego her senior year of eligibility and turn pro. She led the Crimson Tide to a runner-up team finish, their highest finish since winning the national title in 2012. 

Knight tied for fourth in the NCAA Championships as a freshman and tied for 10th as a sophomore.