Emerson Blair, a 9-year-old golfer from West Point, won her age division’s Drive, Chip and Putt Championship in Augusta, Georgia, on Sunday.
Blair was the only contestant from Mississippi in the competition. She was one of 10 contestants in the girls’ age 7-9 group to take part in the event at the Masters.
After her win Sunday, she took part in a live interview on the Golf Channel.
“It feels really good,” she said. “And I’m glad that I won. I’m really happy.”
Asked what it felt like to see her name on the Masters leader board, Blair responded, “It’s pretty cool.”
She has golfed since she was 4 years old. She takes lessons at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, where she is known as the “Queen.”
The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship, is held annually at the Augusta National Golf Club.
Eighty children, ages 7-15, competed in the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship, which was founded by the U.S. Golf Association, the Masters Tournament and the PGA of America.
The competition is divided between boys and girls and broken into four age groups, each with 10 contestants.
Golfers have to advance through local, sub-regional and regional qualifiers in order to reach the championship.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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