Rohanna bids to make cut in second U.S. Women’s Open
It’s Moving Day for Waynesburg Central graduate Rachel Rohanna as she attempts to make the weekend in her second U.S. Women’s Open.
Rohanna has a 12:52 p.m. tee time on No. 1 with amateur Nelly Korda and Aimee Choe today in the second round of the national championship hosted by Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.
She started the Open on Thursday with a 7:07 a.m. with Korda and Christi Cano off No. 10.
Playing in the national championship is a dream for most golfers, and Rohanna believed she was living that dream Wednesday afternoon as she played her final practice round.
“It felt like I was playing the first round this afternoon,” explained Rohanna. “We had a standard bearer and two scorekeepers walking with us.
“I asked one of them, ‘It’s still Wednesday, isn’t it?’ I was so confused.”
She did have an unintended bonus from her moment of confusion, though.
“It’s a relief to get that first tee shot in,” chuckled Rohanna.
Rohanna played just nine holes in her final practice round, and feels she accomplished what she set out to do.
“I wanted to be relaxed, rest up and get ready for (Thursday’s opening round),” said Rohanna. “I hit more shots out of the bunkers. The wind was a little stronger, so I played different options off the tee.
“I got really tired at the end of nine holes. This course is very hilly. You wouldn’t expect that on a links course. It’s physically demanding. It beats you down.”
Sebonack Hills, then, has more than one way to get to a golfer.
“I really need to focus on every shot. Not to be too lazy or easy with every shot,” said Rohanna. “I needed to find (in the practice rounds) what’s not the best shot. If I’m going to miss, where to miss.”
The approach sounds simple, but sound.
“One stroke at a time,” said Rohanna. “I have to stay away from fairway misses. I’m playing cautiously to the point where I’m OK.
“There are very few birdie holes out here. You need two or three good shots for an opportunity at a 15-foot birdie putt.”
As for what she hopes to do, Rohanna closed by saying, “Fairway, green, two-putt, get out of there. If I shoot a 72 (even-par), I’d be extremely happy.”
DIVOTS: The low 60 scores (and ties) in the field of 156 golfers advance to the third round. … Friday’s play will be aired on ESPN2 from 3-7 p.m. NBC picks up the telecast on Saturday and Sunday from 3-6 p.m. … Rohanna played in her first Open two years ago at The Broadmoor in Colorado.