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Tired Leina ends up 49th in US Open qualifier
Leina Kim failed in her first attempt to qualify in the 70th edition of the U.S. Women’s Open as she ended up tied for 49th after the 36-hole Sectional Qualifier on Wednesday at The Dunes Course in Brighton, Colorado.
A total of 66 female golfers, 49 of which are amateurs like Kim, competed for two pro and amateur spots to the $4-million U.S. Women’s Open that will be held at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster Pennsylvania from July 9 to 12.
Kim shot a two-round total of 19-over 163 to join Silver Creek High School junior Erin Sargent and former three-time U.S. Kids Golf World champion Alexa Pano at 49th place or 25 shots back from the 6-under-138 of Bertine Strauss.
Strauss and Maria Fassi (5-under 139) qualified as amateurs, while Kelli Bowers (3-under 141) and Madeleine Sheils (2-under 142) earned the two spots for pros.
Kim had a rough two rounds shooting 8-over 80 in the morning and 11-over-83 in the afternoon. Both rounds were played on the same day with organizers only having an almost one hour interval in between rounds.
Kim, who had to carry her own golf clubs after her caddy backed out before tee off, had a rough start after she bogeyed the 383-yard par-4 No. 1. She finished the morning round with seven more bogeys as nerves and tiredness crept in.
The Colorado State University-Pueblo junior drove for two hours from Pueblo to Brighton just to attend the event and had to head back to campus after the tournament since she still has summer classes.
She will next compete in the by-invitation only Judson Collegiate & Legends Pro-Am Challenge set from June 25 to 29 at Country Club of Roswell in Roswell, Georgia.
The tournament is organized by Lauren Judson, in honor of her parents Jim and Beth, and hosted by 13-time Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour winner Rosie Jones.
The Judson Collegiate & Legends is considered to be the Masters of women’s collegiate golf.
