Jun 4, 2010 By Jim Downey 3 min read

Rachel Rohanna was in position after 18 holes for one of the three qualifying berths out of the Women’s U.S. Open section qualifier at Fox Chapel Country Club, but the afternoon round Wednesday afternoon went awry over a three-hole stretch in the final nine holes. The Waynesburg Central graduate opened with a 75, and had a good nine holes after opening the final 18 holes on No. 10. The problems began on No. 6 – Rohanna’s 33rd hole of the day – with a double bogey.

She followed with a bogey, and then another bogey, finishing with a 78 and 36-hole total of 153.

“I was hitting the ball really well,” Rohanna said of her first 18 holes. “The course was playing 6,600 yards. I was hitting long drives, which helped. I was putting really good. I did not have a lot of chip shots.

“I couldn’t ask to have played much better.”

The scoreboard bears that out. Scotland’s Janice Moody, who had the low 36-hole score of 146, led in the clubhouse with a 1-over 72 after 18 holes. Canada’s Jennifer Kirby and Rohanna both shot 75, and Rebecca Lee-Bentham, of Canada, carded a 76, all in position for one of the three berths.

Rohanna remained on top of her game over the first nine holes in the afternoon round, carding a 38 on the back nine.

“(The 38) was lower round than on the first nine holes,” explained Rohanna.

Rohanna maintained steady play through the first five holes of her back nine (holes 1-5), but problems arose on No. 6 with a double bogey. Consecutive bogeys ensued, leading to a 4-over finish in the final four holes.

“It was a little disappointing. I lost a little focus. It was a long day,” said Rohanna.

A long day, indeed. Rohanna and her caddie, her brother Tommy, were up before 5 a.m. in preparation for a 7:10 a.m. tee time. Fog delayed the start of the qualifier, and then rain delayed play after she completed her first nine holes.

Rohanna was on the tee of her final hole when another weather delay eventually called play for the day, meaning she and the other competitors had to finish their rounds Thursday morning.

Kirby, Becky Morgan, of Wales, and Lee-Bentham, all shot 149, with Kirby and Morgan securing the final two qualifying berths. Lee-Bentham is the first alternate and Rohanna is the second alternate.

“I thought 146 might be okay (to qualify). I was watching (the scores) of the other qualifiers,” said Rohanna. “When I saw par was 71, then I thought 144 (might qualify).

“(Fox Chapel Country Club) is pretty difficult. You had to play smart and not lose your focus.”

As she understands her position, Rohanna’s opportunity to play in the women’s golf national championship relies on either (a) golfers from the Fox Chapel qualifier withdrawing or (b) the field needs filled as golfers withdraw, as John Daly when he won the 1991 PGA Championship.

Connellsville’s Jordan Craig shot a 170 (86-84).