Rohanna sisters miss the cut in U.S. Open qualifier
Rachel Rohanna tried to battle back from a rough start in the U.S. Women’s Open qualifier Monday at Butler Country Club, but wasn’t able to get the short putts to fall as she fell short of a consecutive berth into the national championship.
Her younger sister Emily was also in the field and took the option not to play the second round after shooting an 89 in the first 18 holes.
The qualifying scores ranged from 145-148, so Rachel Rohanna’s 150 (76-74) wasn’t far off the cut.
The older sister started her first round on No. 12 and was 4-over after her first seven holes. She felt she had things turned around on No. 1, her eighth hole.
“I felt I got the ball rolling in the right direction after a par save on No. 1,” said Rohanna. “I played the first seven holes in 4-over and shot 4-over in the last 29 holes. I was playing too cautious in the first seven holes.”
There was a hard rain for about 30 minutes, but Rohanna believed the moisture would benefit her.
“It’s a long course and the rain made it played longer, so I thought that would favor me,” said Rohanna. “I don’t think I hit the ball any better.”
Rohanna’s issues came on the greens from close range.
“The greens were rolling great. I thought if I can make some 10-, 20-footers, I’ll be okay,” explained Rohanna. “With six holes to play I thought to myself ‘Now I have to birdie two or three holes coming in.’ I had one birdie (on her 16th hole) and missed a six-footer for birdie on my 17th hole.
“I missed five putts from within 5-feet. You can’t expect to go to the U.S. Open that way. My ball-striking was good enough to make it. I pushed a lot of short putts. I was trying to steer the ball into the hole.”
Rachel Rohanna hits the road today for Asheville, N.C., for the next Symetra Tour event.
Emily Rohanna didn’t feel any pressure, but never got anything going.
“The course played really long and I had troubles with that. I have the get on in three and one-putt mindset,” said the younger Rohanna.
Things began to spiral early with a wayward tee shot on No. 4, a par-3.
“I hit my tee shot into a greenside bunker on No. 3,” Rohanna said with a chuckle. “I ended up with a double bogey.”
Rohanna then just tried to tough out the rest of the round and opted out of the final 18 holes.
“I tried to play my best and it wasn’t my day. I had four pars the whole day,” said Rohanna. “I was very relieved (not to play the second 18). It was painful. They don’t look down upon you (for withdrawing).”
The play of her woods was not up to Rohanna’s standards.
“My woods (play) in the conference championships two weeks ago did not go well. That’s the key for me,” said Rohanna. “I found the trees and it’s very difficult to get out of the rough.
“I’ll just try to forget about this. I played with Jennifer Song. She qualified. Playing with her was a good experience.”
Rohanna will be on the course in the weeks to come in the Pennsylvania State Amateur and qualifiers for the U.S. Public Links and U.S. Women’s Amateur. She will also be on her sister’s bag this weekend to keep the family caddying trend alive with her mother, father and uncle on Rachel’s bag this season.
“I caddied for her in the U.S. Open qualifier last year,” explained Rohanna. “It’s a good experience.”