Less than a month ago, Savannah Vilaubi shot 88 in her opening round of the U.S. Women's Open presented by Ally, making her question her process and future as a professional golfer. Rather than let it eat her alive, the 30-year-old faced the problem head-on, used it as a momentum builder, and never let it happen again. Despite feeling embarrassed, she returned to the golf course the next day and shot 71 but ultimately missed the cut at Lancaster Country Club.

"The first reaction was, 'I don't even know if I want to do this... like an 88 on a par 70.' The reason I didn't shoot 90 is because the par was 70," said Vilaubi. It was embarrassing. It's like I have nothing to show for all the work that I put in. It was hard showing up to the golf course for that second round, but this whole year, it's been a theme of obedience to God and, trusting your process, and not getting fooled by the proof around you, even if you're going to shoot 88, the worst round ever.

"After that, the 71 was really a great momentum builder. It felt like a consolation prize, but what it was really was momentum. I knew that I learned something I could bring to Battle Creek, made the cut there, and made a few mistakes, but I knew something good was brewing. I knew that I was close to something."

The California native was right. Her momentum continued with a made cut at the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship, where she finished T52. Still learning from her mistakes, Vilaubi was determined to keep improving week after week.

The University of California, Riverside alumna opened her first round of the Otter Creek Championship with a 5-under, bogey-free 67 to keep her momentum rolling. She then posted a 4-under 68 in her second round to be in the final group with 18 holes to play and in prime position to capture her second Epson Tour title in two years. The resilience Vilaubi showed after her 88 at the U.S. Women's Open was once again on full display during her final round at Otter Creek Golf Course. She opened her day with a bogey but immediately bounced back, making birdies on the next two holes. The day was ultimately up and down for Vliaubi, making two more bogeys and two more birdies to finish at 10-under after 54 holes and earn her spot in a playoff with Yahui Zhang.

The playoff lasted just two holes, with Vilaubi rolling in a birdie on the second playoff hole to earn her first Epson Tour title since winning the 2023 Copper Rock Championship. As the putt dropped, all the emotions from the last month flooded out of the now two-time champion, ending her tournament with an emotional fist pump and a water bottle shower from some of her closest friends on tour.

"This win doesn't come a second too early," said Vilaubi after hoisting the Otter Creek Championship trophy. "I can't speak enough about the process, and I'm going to stay diligent with it. God's been super patient with me, and He let me mess up. He let me learn from that. He's here, and I can cruise through the rest of the year with him and my coaches, and hopefully, my best golf shows up along the way."

Following her win in Columbus, Ind., Vilaubi tees it up at the Island Resort Championship in Harris, Mich. In addition to confidence from her win last week, the Epson Tour veteran knows she can play well in Harris. In 2023, Vilaubi finished in sixth place, her third-best result and fourth top-10 finish of the season.

On Friday, Vilaubi goes off the 1st at Sweetgrass Golf Club at 8:25 a.m. local time, hoping to find some magic at the Island Resort Championship again. Now 15th in the Race for the Card standings, a top performance would put her in a good spot at the halfway point of the season to get her LPGA Tour card for 2025.

Savannah Vilaubi Finds Momentum After Challenging Start to the Season

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