Rohanna earns berth into US Women’s Open
Rachel Rohanna has played in two U.S. Women’s Opens in her young career, but was an alternate both times and needed a break to get a spot into the main draw.
The Waynesburg Central grad didn’t leave anything to chance Monday, finishing second for the final berth from the qualifier held at Butler Country Club with a 36-hole total of 11-over 153 for a spot in the Open hosted by Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., on June 24-30.
The number of berths is decided on the day of the qualifier, based on the number of entrants.
“They tell you on the tee box at the last minute,” explained Rohanna. “There were a lot of withdrawals, so there were 37 girls playing for two spots.”
The golfers had to deal with a par-71, 6,700-yard course with unforgiving rough and poor weather conditions.
“It was snowing this morning. I think the highest temperature was 50 when the wind wasn’t blowing,” said Rohanna. “It was long for a par 71 course. It was missing one par-5.”
Rohanna had a busy week, playing in the Symetra Classic in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, where she finished tied for 51st to finish in the money for the second time in her career with a $402 payday.
She drove home in time for a practice round with her sister Emily in what she called “the fastest 18 holes I’ve ever played.”
As it was in Charlotte, Rohanna said her short game was her saving grace in the qualifier.
“The rough was the hardest part. I topped an 8-iron out of the rough and it went 10 feet. It was thick and high,” said Rohanna. “My chipping and wedges were pretty good. My short game was what helped me a lot today.”
Rohanna had two double bogeys in her first 18 holes, and was leading in the clubhouse when she finished her first round.
“I knew I had to be close to the top two. I know scores are always higher on the second 18,” said Rohanna, who finished with a three-stroke cushion on third place.
She carded a triple bogey on her 33rd hole, saying, “I made a lot of stupid, stupid mistakes. You have to take your medicine, sometimes.”
She countered with a chip-in eagle on the next hole to right the ship, and scored pars on the final two holes.
“The last three finishing holes were the best I played,” said Rohanna. “I had two 15-foot birdie putts on the last two holes. The last hole I two-putted. I had the same putt (in the first round), and was afraid to hit it past the hole. I left a 5-footer, but made it for par.”
Making it through to the final round of a Symetra Tour event for the second time was a big boost for Rohanna.
“I had a lot of confidence,” Rohanna said of her state of mind. “Basically, one hole got to me (in the final round) and I took a 76. That was not too bad for that day.”
Rohanna opened with a 2-over 74, but rebounded with a 2-under 70 to get into the final round.
“My uncle was on my bag and before the second round he gave me a couple tips. He helped me a lot,” explained Rohanna. “He showed me fundamental things and told me to slow my tempo down.”
Now, Rohanna heads back down to North Carolina for the Friends of Mission Charity Classic in Asheville on Friday through Sunday.