Macy Pate (Leah Ruby/Pinehurst Photo)

Pate, a rising sophomore at Wake Forest, knows the feeling of success at Pinehurst, having won the North & South Junior in 2023.

Pate is currently ranked No. 179 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com Women's Rankings. She recorded four birdies and two bogeys in the second round on No. 8, including birdies on holes No. 15, 17, and 18, to win medalist honors on the final hole.

Elizabeth Rudisill, who is coming off a win at the AJGA Rolex Girls Junior Invitational last week, finished in solo second place at 3-under and just one shot back of Pate.

Kylee Choi, Catie Craig, and Mia Sessa finished T3 at 1-under and three shots back of Pate. Mackenzie Lee, Molly Smith, and Emma Schimpf finished T6 at even par.

The North & South Women's Amateur is the third event in the inaugural Elite Women's Amateur Golf Series. 

“Since day one, our goal has been to align the top competitive amateur events in the United States, not only for the men’s game but for the women’s game as well,” Andy Priest said when the series was announced. "We are excited to play a leading role in elevating elite women’s golf by providing these athletes with an aligned summer schedule of competition at some of the most renowned venues in the country conducted by historic organizations and world-class resorts.”

Currently, Kendall Turner leads the Women's Elite Amateur Golf Series through two events, finishing T13 at the Sea Island Women's Amateur and T2 at the Southwestern Amateur. Annabelle Pancake and Leigh Chien are tied for second place.

Turner, Chien, and Pancake are not in the field this week.

Nine of the last 12 North & South Women’s Amateur champions have drawn paychecks as members of the LPGA Tour. The equation is near perfect. Win the North & South Am, and go on to professional success at the highest level.

The North & South women's champions are among the game's legends: Babe Zaharias, Louise Suggs, Peggy Kirk Bell, Hollis Stacey, Brandie Burton, Brittany Lang, Morgan Pressel, and Yani Tseng.