Doran Cruises Into Quarterfinals in Mid-Am Debut

Emilia (Migliaccio) Doran has spent plenty of time telling golf stories the past few years — this week, she’s writing one of her own. 

The 26-year-old Wake Forest alum and Golf Channel/SiriusXM analyst continued her impressive run at Monterey Peninsula Country Club's Dunes Course on Tuesday, winning twice to reach the quarterfinals in her U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur debut. 

“I changed my ball flight to a cut on the second day of stroke play because I couldn’t hit a draw, and it’s working so well,” said Doran. “And so, I’m just really trusting that. And we’re really hitting our numbers, so I feel really dialed in with my irons.” 

Doran, a two-time Curtis Cup competitor (2021 and 2022), opened the day with a dominant 6-and-5 victory over Catherine McEvoy in the Round of 32. In the afternoon, she faced a familiar championship pedigree in 2018 champion Shannon Johnson — and delivered another composed, clinical performance. 

After bogeying the opening hole to fall behind early, Doran responded with a par at the second to win the hole and tie the match, then rattled off three consecutive wins on holes 3–5 to seize control. She widened the gap with victories on 7, 8 and 9 to go 5 up at the turn, building a cushion she would not relinquish. 

Johnson cut into the deficit with a birdie at the par-5 13th, but Doran showed impressive poise on what turned out to be a pivotal par-3 14th. After finding the water off the tee and having to go back to the tee box, she hit what was her third shot to 20 feet and then holed the long putt for bogey to tie the hole and maintain her lead. When both players halved the 15th with pars, Doran closed out the match, 4 and 3. 

"It’s the first time [I’ve ever used a local caddy],” said Doran. “It’s been unbelievable. I would consider him a professional caddy. Someone who could caddy on tour. I’m learning so much just from watching him go through my shots. I almost feel like I’m going to school.” 

For Doran, who made the Round of 32 at this summer’s U.S. Women’s Amateur at Bandon Dunes while simultaneously serving as an on-course reporter for Golf Channel, the run at Monterey Peninsula has added a new chapter to an already unique career in the game. 

Despite being a top amateur in college, Doran decided to forgo a professional career. Last year, her first year of Mid-Am eligibility, she couldn’t compete due to a work conflict. This time, she’s making the most of the opportunity. 

Doran will face co-medalist Katherine Zhu, of nearby San Jose, Calif., in Wednesday morning’s quarterfinals. Zhu has been equally dominant this week, also cruising to a 4-and-3 win in the Round of 16.  

Joining them in the quarterfinals are 2019 champion Ina Kim-Schaad, Justine Fournand, Jennifer Wang, Shannon Fish-Martin and Hanley Long. The final Round of 16 match was suspended due to darkness at 7:05 p.m. PST with Jasmeen Somrock leading 2017 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur champion Judith Kyrinis, 1 up, on the 18th hole. They will resume play at 7:30 a.m.