June 23, 2002

SUNRIVER, Ore. - UNLV sophomore golfer Hwanhee Lee's run through the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship was finally stopped on Sunday as the Rebel star fell in the tourney's final match, 6 and 5 to Annie Thurman, an Oklahoma State sophomore from Highland, Utah.

Lee first won a sectional qualifier on May 27, firing an impressive 68 at Silverstone Golf Course in Las Vegas. She then survived a 36-hole stroke-play eliminator to reach the field of 64 that advanced to match play. With five straight head-to-head victories, Lee was finally stunned in the final after nearly nine rounds of golf.

Lee wasn't the only Rebel to fare well at the Public Links. Elena Kurokawa and Sunny Oh, both Rebel freshmen-to-be, survived the cut and advanced to match play. Oh, who was the last player to make the cut, stunned stroke-play medalist Jessica Reese, 9 and 7, in her first match, before falling in the second round.

Kurokawa also won her opening match, but was ousted by Lee, her new teammate, in the second round.

Lee continued to play well and defeat some formidable opponents, including stopping a remarkable run by 12-year-old Michelle Wie in the semifinals.

All three players will by key factors for the Rebels in the 2002-03 season, which will begin in September.

2002 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship results