KirkwoodGolf

Monday, May 25, 2015

Heather, Kylie win places in US Women's Open

Heather MacRae has won herself a place in the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club from July 9 to 12, writes Colin Farquharson .
 The 31-year-old Gleneagles staff pro, winner of the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Nairn before turning pro, jointly headdc a field of 75 players in the Sectional Qualifier (Europe) at Buckinghamshire Golf Club today.
Five spots in the US Women's Open were up for grabs and Heather seized one of them with a brilliant second round of 65, improving by 10 shots on her morning round.
Her aggregate of 140 saw her figure in a triple tie at the top of the leaderboard, alongside Maria Balkoeva (72-68) from Russia and England's Holly Aitchison (72-68).
That meant a five-way play-off for the last two qualifying spots - the players who finished on 141 - and they included Scot Kylie Walker and Falkirk-based American Beth Allen.

LATER NEWS: KYLIE CAME THROUGH THE PLAY-OFF

Carly Booth finished joint 13th on 142 (71-73), Vikki Laing (74-73) and Sally Watson (75-72) tied 27th on 147, and Michele Thomson jt 35th on 150 with a pair of 75s. 


FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
A field of 75 competitors are playing in the 36-hole US Women’s Open Sectional Qualifier (Europe) at Buckinghamshire Golf Club in England today in pursuit of five spots available for the US Women’s Open Championship, to be played at Lancaster Country Club on 9-12 July.
This is the second year that the United States Golf Association (USGA) has instituted international qualifying in recognition of the global growth and strength of women’s golf. In case of a tie for the final spot, a play-off will be held immediately following play. The first two alternates will also be determined by a hole by hole play-off if necessary.
Considered one of the world’s premier women’s golf major championships, the U.S. Women’s Open is conducted annually by the USGA. It is open to professional female golfers and amateur females with a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 2.4. 
The championship was first conducted in 1946 and boasts an impressive list of winners, including Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Betsy Rawls, Mickey Wright, Hollis Stacy, Amy Alcott, Meg Mallon, Annika Sorenstam, Se Ri Pak, Juli Inkster, Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Inbee Park