Lucy Li of Redwood Shores and Allisen Corpuz of Hawaii and USC, the youngest qualifiers in U.S. Women’s Public Links Championship history, took the two spots available in sectional qualifying for the 72nd U.S. Women’s Open at Contra Costa Country Club in Pleasant Hill.
Corpuz, who was 10 years, 3 months old when she qualified for the U.S. Women’s Publinix in 2008, shot 69-71—140, 4-under-par, while Li, who was 10 years, 8 months old when she reached the Publinx event in 2013, carded a score of 70-70—140.
Li (pictured), now 15, posted this alongside a picture of herself on Twitter: “4 years later…and I’m finally going back! So excited and proud to have qualified for the US Open again!! Shoal Creek, I’m coming for ya!”
In 2014, Li became the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open at the age of 11. She missed the cut with a very respectable score of 78-78—156 in her first LPGA major tournament at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.
Jennifer Chang of Cary, N.C., and USC finished as first alternate with a score of 68-73—141, while Mina Harigae of Monterey is the second alternate after shooting 72-72—144.
Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark led sectional qualifying at La Purisima Golf Course at 70-71—141, 3-under-par while Maria Hernandez of Spain won a playoff for the second spot at 73-70—143.
Lee Lopez of Whittier lost the playoff and is the first alternate at 72-71—143, while the other spot went to Erynne Lee of Silverdale, Wash., who played at UCLA, with a score of 75-69—144.
Christine Song of Fullerton was the medalist in sectional qualifying at 70-70—140, 4-under-par, at Dunwoody Country Club in Dunwoody, Ga., winning with a birdie on the final hole.
The Women’s U.S. Open will be played May 31-June 3 at Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club in Shoal Creek, Ala.
For complete results, visit http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/championships/2018/2018-u-s–women-s-open-qualifying-results.html.
