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Layla Phillips of Harbor Teacher Prep claimed her second consecutive City Section individual golf championship on Thursday at Balboa Golf Course in Encino. The 15-year-old shot a one-under-par 71 to win by a single stroke, crediting her victory to improved mental toughness and composure under pressure.
Championship Drama on the 18th Hole
Phillips captured the title after her competitor, sophomore Lauren Song of Palisades, suffered a four-putt double bogey on the 18th hole. Song had entered the final hole holding the lead, but her struggles on the green opened the door for Phillips, as reported by sports.yahoo.com.
On the final hole, Phillips faced a challenging situation after her approach shot struck a tree branch and landed 20 feet short of the green. She chipped to within seven feet and successfully drained the uphill, right-breaking par putt. Song then missed a short putt that would have won her the title, leaving Phillips victorious and her opponent just three feet past the hole.
Key Moments and Tournament Highlights
Phillips finished her round with three birdies, an eagle, and four bogeys. Her standout moment occurred on the par-five 12th hole, where she landed her approach shot inside two feet to sink an eagle putt and take a two-shot lead. Despite stumbling with a bogey on the 16th hole that put her down by one stroke, she recovered by maintaining her focus.
With this win, Phillips is halfway toward the historic milestone of becoming the first girl to secure four City individual titles. If she triumphs next fall, she will join a select group of three-peat champions, including Tiffany Yau and Anna Song.
Granada Hills Ends Palisades’ Reign
In the team standings, Granada Hills narrowly defeated Palisades by a single stroke, 416-417, capturing its 15th City crown and halting the Dolphins’ five-year championship streak. Granada Hills last won back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020.
Three golfers from Granada Hills finished inside the top ten, led by Elaine Zee in third place overall with a 75, Janice Torre Yoo in sixth with an 81, and Tiffany Kim in seventh with an 82.
Co-coach Brady Ma noted that while his team had defeated Palisades three times during the regular season, every encounter was closely contested. He and his father, Daniel Ma, guided the Highlanders to their first title since the pandemic-era seasons.
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