Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: In the immediate wake of her final-day Patsy Hankins Trophy heroics, Eila Galitsky jetted off to South Carolina to tee-off a new chapter in what has already been a stellar golfing journey.
As well as beginning life in the American college system with a glittering reputation, Galitsky has arrived at Columbia, South Carolina boasting of an impressive new feather in her cap.
At the Al Hamra Golf Club on Friday, the big-hitting Thailand native took on and defeated World Amateur Golf Ranking number one Lottie Woad of England in the lead-off singles match at the Patsy Hankins Trophy.
It was an eye-catching display from Galitsky that augurs well for her future prospects.
As well as providing a lift for her Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) team-mates in the biennial Solheim Cup-style match play event, Galitsky’s triumph was a devastating blow to the European Golf Association line-up that was relying on a Woad victory to spark a last-day comeback.
Galitsky may have made the cut in professional Major championships, won the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific and competed in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, but repelling the challenge of the world’s leading amateur ranks among her finest achievements to date.
So, what’s it like to beat the world number one? “It’s nice to say it … and it feels like I’m world number zero,” said Gailtsky of the timely success that will elevate her confidence as she embarks on a new and exciting challenge in the US.
University of South Carolina Head Coach Kalen Anderson is aware of what an asset Galitsky will be to her team.
Anderson said: “Eila is exceptionally talented in every aspect of her game. She is a dynamic player with a dynamic personality. Eila brings a wealth of playing experience, having competed successfully in elite amateur and professional events around the world.”
For her part, Galitsky is not shy about discussing her lofty goals. “Every day it’s my aim to improve and get better. I see myself as the world number one (professional) in five years,” she said, matter-of-factly.
It was a strong self-belief that helped her in difficult moments in her match against Woad, most notably at the first and 18th holes.
On the first tee, Galitsky hooked her drive so severely that few gave her any hope of seeing it again. She duly struck a provisional, but was relieved to find her errant first ball, even if it was not in an especially promising situation, sitting precariously on a branch, 131 yards from the pin, which she could not see.
Holding nothing back, she thrashed at a pitching wedge and made clean contact. It was only as she walked upto the green that she realised her ball had come to rest just feet from the cup.
Woad, who must have mentally been thinking she would go one-up, was unable to match Galitsky’s birdie and plodded to the second tee one-down.
Over the next couple of hours, Galitsky stayed in front most of the way. Twice she got to two-up only for Woad to halve the deficit each time the next hole with a birdie.
When Woad won the 14th to get to all square, the momentum appeared to be with the Englishwoman. But Galitsky had no intention of caving in, holing a 35-footer for birdie at the short 15th to regain the lead, and winning 16 with a regulation par after Woad’s approach spun back into a greenside bunker from where she unable to get up-and-down.
After clawing a hole back at 17, Woad sensed the chance to salvage a half-point for her team. Once more, though, Galitsky proved to have her measure at the par-five 18th, powering a drive almost 300 yards followed by a sublime 240-yard five-wood into the heart of the green.
Woad could not match that firepower. She had to content herself with making the green in three. When her birdie attempt slid past the cup, she knew the game was up.
Galitsky safely two-putted for a four to win the hole and complete a two-up win before being embraced by her parents and congratulated by APGC Chairman Taimur Hassan Amin.
“Well played, Eila. That was simply spectacular,” said Amin.
