Bentonville’s Thomas falls at U.S. Women’s Amateur

Bentonville native Lilly Thomas lost the first four holes and was defeated 7 and 5 by Mia Hammond of New Albany, Ohio, on Wednesday at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash., in her Round of 64 match at the U.S Women’s Amateur.

Thomas, who twice led Bentonville to Class 6A state championships and is entering her senior season at Tulsa, was one of 25 players to shoot under par during her qualifying rounds, advancing her to the match play portion of the event.

But Thomas won just one of 13 holes, making her only birdie of the round on the par-5 eighth.