Cheyenne Knight Wins Volunteers of America Classic for First LPGA Tour Victory
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Cheyenne Knight Wins Volunteers of America Classic for First LPGA Tour Victory
Sets tournament record with two-stroke victory
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 13, 2019—Cheyenne Knight took home her first LPGA Tour title at the 2019 Volunteers of America Classic held at Old American Golf Club in The Colony, Texas.
The 22-year-old Tour rookie, who lives just 60 miles away in Aledo, became the fourth American to win in 2019 with her tournament record of 18-under 266. She earned a two-stroke victory over Brittany Altomare and Jaye Marie Green.
Knight, who started the day one stroke behind Green, only missed five fairways all week and played bogey-free golf on Sunday, carding five birdies for a 66 to tie for the low round of the day. Those birdies, however, required more than a bit of hometown luck. She chipped in for birdie from the off the green at holes 9 and 10.
Playing one group ahead of Knight, Altomare stepped to the 18th tee just one stroke off the lead. But after sending her approach just off the back of the green, she made bogey to drop into a tie for second with Green. It is Altomare’s second runner-up finish of 2019. Green earned her career-best finish after a final round of 69, her highest round in a tournament.
Knight had a difficult rookie season on the LPGA Tour. She entered the Volunteers of America Classic 120th on the Official Money List and in serious jeopardy of returning to Q-Series to better her LPGA status. Instead, she secured a place on the LPGA Tour for two years, thanks to her victory.
“I’ve prayed about this. It’s been a really hard year and I always knew that event though I didn’t understand at the time, I knew God was in control,” Knight said. “I think I had a second caddie out there and I know he’s watching in heaven, just so proud of me. It’s incredible, I just can’t really put it into words.” Knight said she felt the presence of her older brother on the course, who was killed in 2008 when he was hit by a drunk driver.
It was quite a day for Knight. Her 266 was the lowest 72-hole score of her LPGA career and it also broke the record for the Volunteers of America 72-hole scoring record.
“I am delighted that Cheyenne won this tournament,” said Mike King, president and CEO of Volunteers of America. “This was a well-deserved win that proves her capabilities.”
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About Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America is a national, faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those in need live healthy, safe and productive lives. Since 1896, Volunteers of America supports and empowers America’s most vulnerable groups, including veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, at-risk youth, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, those recovering from addictions and many others. Through hundreds of human service programs, including housing and health care, Volunteers of America helps 1.5 million people in over 400 communities. Visit voa.org.