Athens native Ally Williams shook off two disappointing rounds to post a strong final-round score and climb to a fifth-place finish at the 2019 Women’s Stroke Play Championship of the Alabama Golf Association hosted by Cider Ridge Golf Club in Oxford.

Williams carded back-to-back scores of 8-over-par 80 but recovered to shoot a three-over-par 75 in Thursday’s third round, which was the third-best round of the day.

She finished with a total score of 235 (+19). She had begun the day in ninth place before climbing up four spots in the leaderboard. She will be a freshman at Mississippi State University this fall after signing a golf scholarship in the spring.

Sophie Burks of Tallassee, rising junior golfer at Middle Tennessee State University, finished round three with a four-under par 68 to finish with an overall score of 214 (-2). Burks had a strong final round finish to secure her first individual AGA Championship with a 10-stroke lead over second place and a 15-shot margin over third place.

Carson McKie, round one leader, shot an even par score of 72 to finish solo second place with an overall score of 224 (+8). Anna Claire Little of Auburn finished in third place, with a final round score of four-over par 76 and an overall score of 229 (+13).

The Alabama Golf Association is the United States Golf Association’s liaison for golf in Alabama, conducting national championship qualifying, administering the USGA Handicap system, including the GHIN Handicap service, course and slope rating and education.

The AGA annually conducts 19 championships and team match competitions for men, women, juniors and seniors. The AGA also conducts Alabama high school golf championships and assists with many collegiate events, including the SEC Men’s Golf Championship.