Rohanna in the hunt at US Women’s Open
Rachel Rohanna of Waynesburg takes a break while practicing at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort’s Mystic Rock golf course as she prepares for the upcoming U.S. Women’s Open, which will be played at Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y. (Photo by Ed Cope)
Associated Press
Fans watch golfers putt on the second hole during the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open on Thursday at Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.
The opening round of the 68th U.S. Women’s Open Championship Thursday at Sebonack Golf Club couldn’t have started any better for Rachel Rohanna.
Her round ended pretty good, too, and she stayed the course in the holes in between to finish with a 2-over-par 74. Rohanna finished the first day in a 13-way tie for 52nd place, eight strokes off the lead.
Rohanna opened on No. 10, a 359-yard par-4, and set a good tone early with a birdie.
“It wasn’t as nerve-wracking as its was on the practice round,” said Rohanna. “From the get-go, I kept a good tempo. There was no extra pressure. I was keeping my thoughts and enjoying the moment.”
Rohanna was off in the third group at 7:07 a.m., a really early tee time.
“It was rough. It was really early,” explained Rohanna. “I’m tired.”
Rohanna gave the shot back with a bogey two holes later, taking a four on the 139-yard par-3. She righted the ship quickly, though, carding a birdie on No. 13, a 550-yard par-5.
Rohanna parred out her front nine to go out in 1-under 36, but gave away three strokes in the first two holes on the front, her back, nine.
Rohanna hit 12-of-14 fairways (tied for 52nd) and hit 12-of-18 greens in regulation (tied for 43rd). The two fairways she missed on the front led to a bogey and double bogey, while one of the greens missed resulted in her other double bogey.
“I took a double (bogey) on No. 1 (par-4, 377). I hit the fairway, but missed the green,” said Rohanna. “I had a good bogey on No. 2 (par-4, 421). I got a little quick. I tried not to think too much about it.
“On No. 6 (par-4, 388), I had to take an unplayable lie.”
Those bad holes could’ve left Rohanna with a difficult round, but she closed on a high note when she eagled No. 8, her 17th hole. She finished the front in 3-over 38.
“The back nine was a little rough. I hung in there. I was happy with my finish,” said Rohanna. “I hit a 3-wood off the tee up the right side (on No. 8). I hit a 7-wood about 12 feet short of the green, and had about 60, 70 feet to the pin.
“I putted, and it was the perfect pace. I was tracking the last 10 feet and knew it was going in. It was pretty cool. There was a lot of people around.”
Rohanna said the course played a little shorter (around 6,500 yards) than in practice rounds, and the greens were a little more forgiving than expected.
“This was the day to go low,” said Rohanna.
Rohanna won’t be changing her outlook, approach or strategy for today’s second round.
“I’m happy with my round. I hit a lot of good putts, and a lot of good tee shorts,” said Rohanna. “I didn’t hit any shots I shouldn’t.
“It was definitely a good round. I only had two bad holes. My ball-striking, my putting were both pretty good.”
Rohanna, like many golfers, feels she left shots on the course.
“I feel I can go lower. I should be lower,” said Rohanna. “I want to play exactly like I did today. If I can hit every fairway and focus on distance control with my irons.
“I can sharpen up a bit. And, if I putt like I did today.”
Rohanna believes she is better prepared to handle the rigors of her second Open than her first a couple years ago.
“I feel like I have matured a lot with my game, physically and mentally,” said Rohanna. “I have a better opportunity.”
Plus, there’s the 12:52 p.m. tee time off No. 1 today.
“It will be nice to sleep in and get some rest,” said Rohanna. “I don’t mind looking at scores after the first wave (of tee times).”
DIVOTS: South Korea’s Inbee Park set the early pace with a 5-under 67, but fellow countrywoman Ha-Neul Kim finished the day as the first-round leader at 6-under 66. … Twenty-seven players are under par and nine others finished at even-par 72. … Rohanna was one of six players with an eagle. Christel Boeljion also eagled No. 8, with two on No. 18 and one each on No. 10 and No. 16. … The field of 156 golfers will be pared down after today’s second round to the low 60 and ties. … ESPN2 will again broadcast the championship from 3-7 p.m.