Rachel Rohanna has sights set on weekend
Rachel Rohanna might catch herself scoreboard watching this afternoon during the U.S. Women’s Open, but the occasional glimpse is understandable since she is playing in her first national championship.
?Rohanna has a 2:31?p.m. (local time) tee time in the second round of the championship played at the Broadmoor’s East Course in Colorado Springs, Colo., so a glance at the leaderboard might be in order as she plays. She is paired with Amy Yang and Sun Young Yoo.
The Ohio State junior enters the U.S. Women’s Open on the heels of playing in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links in Oregon on a links-style layout. Rohanna actually qualified for the U.S. Open on the Broadmoor, so she has some knowledge of the course.
“Obviously, it’s completely different golf,” explained Rohanna. “I should be able to fly the ball up to the green and spin it, instead of bump-and-run. The altitude adds 10 percent (to distance). I usually hit a 7-iron 160 yards, but can hit it 176 yards here.
“The ball absolutely flies. I think it’s playing 7,100 yards, but it’s like 6,400 yards back home.”
“I’ve been getting more practice in around the greens. I’ve been practicing my chipping,” said Rohanna after Tuesday’s practice round. “The course hasn’t changed that much (since she played the qualifier), nothing too drastic.
“The greens are firming up. I could tell from Monday to Tuesday. It’s not impossible to stop the ball on the greens. The key it to keep the ball under the hole. Mountains surround the course, and everything breaks away from the mountains.”
The course is more suited to her game, and Rohanna has a fresh approach to this week’s tournament.
“I don’t have as many expectations coming into this tournament. I feel a little more relaxed,” said Rohanna. “I feel really good. Compared to last week, I’m hitting the ball better than last week.”
One of her practice rounds was with Betsy King, a Hall of Fame golfer, and veteran Katherine Hull.
“I had lunch with Katherine Hull and she told me ‘Don’t even think about it,'” Rohanna said of the advice.
As for her approach to the tournament, Rohanna added, “I need to block anything out and just go out and have fun with it. I think if I can shoot 6-over between the two days, I know that I’d do pretty well and have a chance for the weekend.”
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DIVOTS: Rohanna believes there is rain in the forecast for the opening rounds, but she hopes it passes by, saying, “I’ve had my fair share of rounds in the rain this year.” … ESPN2 will broadcast Friday’s second round from 5-9?p.m. Coverage shifts to NBC on Saturday and Sunday from 3-6?p.m.