Author Archives: sports


Liz Nagel, with her approach shot on the 15th hole, during practice rounds of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Tuesday July 7, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Birdies, bogeys put in perspective by Nagel’s cancer treatments

Posted: July 11, 2015 8:25 pm

There may be no one more equipped to handle a 13-over-par 83 in a round at the U.S. Women’s Open than Liz Nagel.
More than anyone, perhaps, she has been able to keep golf in perspective for a couple of reasons.
No. 1, she’s still learning and understands that playing golf with the best women’s players in the world is a process.
No. 2, not too long ago, she came through treatments for thyroid cancer, which slides making bogey instead of par down the importance chain.
Not that she is settling for bogeys. Far from that.
She is as determined as anyone and has been that way ever since her father handed her a golf club as soon as she could hold one. The determination has helped her on the golf course but so, too, in coming through her cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Nagel, 23, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2012, her junior year at Michgan State. She had surgery, went through radioactive iodine treatments and was declared cancer free after a year.
And maybe she’s been able to handle the ups and downs of golf because of the ups and downs she faced in the aftermath of her surgery and treatments.
She spoke of dealing with how her body felt, about how the doctors couldn’t tell her what she would feel. That bugged her the most. She wanted to know how she could expect to feel. So, she went day to day.
There are some residual effects today. Nagel’s dad, John, said they are still trying to regulate her liquid intake and when and what to eat during a round.
Nagel’s dad was on the bag for Saturday’s round. He talked about her being a battler, on and off the course.
“Liz has three different gears,” said John Nagel. “It’s cruise control, where everything is positive going forward, and then there is that determination mode. Like Friday, she knew where she was on the cut line and she flipped it into determination mode, put her head down and grinded away.
“Then she has a hazy mode, and that’s where she was today.”
Nagel, playing in her first U.S. Open, recorded bogeys on the second and third holes before righting the ship with a birdie and two pars. But two bogeys followed.
“I got in my own way today,” said Nagel, who shot an opening-round 2-under 68 before a 5-over second round Friday. “I missed a couple of short putts and really let it get to me and frustrate me.”
She turned pro last year and played in her first LPGA Tournament two weeks ago. She has also played on the Symetra Tour.
One more round to go and a chance to put Saturday’s round in the rearview mirror.
“It’s just great to be here,” she said. “I shot 83 today, but it’s an honor to be here and I love every second of it.”


A Fox Sports camera catches the action along hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Course gets kudos from FOX’s US Women’s Open broadcast team

Posted:

Each morning, golfers at the U.S. Women’s Open check pin locations and weather conditions. They look back on their previous day’s results and adjust their strategies.

Brad Cheney goes through a similar routine as the director of technical operations for FOX Sports, the broadcast partner for the tournament.

“To capture the event,” said Cheney, the network’s technical director since March, “to get more emotion out of it, we’re always moving the camera around. It’s a great process that takes a good amount of time.”

Fox Sports was using a telescoping camera on the #2 fairway at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Fox Sports was using a telescoping camera on the #2 fairway at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

A major plan

For Cheney and the rest of the FOX Sports crew — a stable of 348 members throughout the tournament week — the process of bringing the production to Lancaster Country Club developed over a full calendar year. Representatives joined USGA officials for four different trips to the site throughout the year to form a plan and work out the logistics of the broadcast setup.

“The beauty of Lancaster Country Club,” Cheney said, “is that we have some great access points and plenty of space to work with. It’s actually been a great course.”

Equipment began arriving July 1 — eight days before the tournament’s opening round. Two days later, a 50-person FOX crew arrived onsite.

For Monday’s practice round, the full complement of broadcast personnel and 290 technicians, including 65 local crew members, began their week on the course.

The preferred shots

With 56 cameras stationed throughout the course, the FOX Sports crew owns a variety of angles to capture the U.S. Women’s Open and showcase Lancaster Country Club to a national audience.

The best perspective, Cheney said, belongs to the players.

“We spend a lot of time trying to give viewers at home a sense of what the players are seeing on the course,” Cheney said. “We use a lot of shots from behind the players and at eye level. Viewers can see how they line up shots. Will they hit it to the left or the right of the pin?”

As officials tweak the course on a day-to-day basis, Cheney and his crew adjust the cameras accordingly.

Mic check

On top of the live video cameras, the daily adjustments include the location of the 37 microphones scattered throughout the course.

“One of the trademarks of Fox Sports,” Cheney said. “is the audio. We spend a lot of time providing consistent audio throughout the course.”

The audio funnels into the 14 “shotgun” mics as well as six microphones at hole locations.

A seal of approval

After receiving rave reviews from players and fans throughout the week, the Lancaster Country Club course — laced with 37 miles of fiberoptic cable — has also earned a thumbs-up from Cheney.

“It’s playing very well on TV,” he said.


Golf historian Mike Trostel helps put things in perspective

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Mike Trostel, 31, didn’t know what he wanted to be when he grew up.

Teacher? Lawyer? Businessman? Indecision turned out to be not such a bad thing.

Because he liked to play golf and to read history, Trostel got an internship at the USGA Museum in Far Hills, New Jersey, which later hired him.

One thing led to another, and there was Trostel this week moderating press conferences at the USGA U.S. Women’s Open and sharing center stage with the greatest women golfers in the world.

Has a history major ever landed a cooler job?

Trostel, senior curator/ historian at the USGA Museum, played well enough as a teen to qualify for the 2000 U.S. Junior Amateur at the age of 16.

Now he’s just happy to get in a round when he can and to be places where he can talk to the pros and watch them play.

“You start to appreciate how good these players are, even the amateurs,” Trostel said. “You see the preparation, the planning, the course management. There is a game plan.”

Meet the press

At the press conferences, Trostel generally asks players a few questions before opening the floor to reporters. He said he tries to reveal something about golfers the press may not know.

When he’s not at a tournament, Trostel is back at the museum with its 50,000-plus artifacts — from 19th-century clubs and balls to more than 10,000 hours of film.

One of his recent projects was preparing exhibits for a new Jack Nicklaus wing. Trostel visited the golfing legend at his home in North Palm Beach, Florida, and interviewed him for hours.

“He just loved to compete, whether it was golf, pingpong or fishing” Trostel said of what he thinks drove Nicklaus to greatness.

Favorite stories

Ask Trostel about golf history and you’ll get great anecdotes.

He loves the story, for instance, of Francis Ouimet, a 20-year-old amateur who in 1913 defeated two British greats in a head-to-head playoff to win the U.S. Open. “He had a 10-year-old caddie,” Trostel said.

Trostel also cherishes the story of Annika Sorenstam’s last shot in her last U.S. Women’s Open. A three-time U.S. Womens Open champ, Sorenstam planned to retire after 2008 and wasn’t in contention during the 2008 Open. But she went out with a bang.

Swinging a 6-iron for her second shot on the par-5 18th hole, Sorenstam watched the ball bounce, roll and drop into the cup.

Famous theft

And then there’s the story of Ben Hogan’s stolen 1-iron.

Sixteen months after suffering four fractures in a head-on collision with a bus, the hobbling, 37-year-old Hogan used a 1-iron on the 18th hole at the 1950 U.S. Open to force a playoff, which he won.

Because a photographer captured an iconic picture of the 1-iron shot, the USGA Museum in the 1970s asked Hogan to donate the club. But Hogan didn’t have it. It had been stolen before the 1950 playoff began.

A collector in 1983 bought a set of clubs with a mismatched 1-iron. Wondering if it was Hogan’s, he got it into the legend’s hands. Hogan confirmed it was his and donated it to the museum.

“But the crime,” Trostel said, “remains a mystery.”

Photo Gallery: Saturday at the U.S. Women’s Open

Golfers were out on the driving range at Lancaster Country Club Satruday morning before the start of round 3 of the 2015 U.S. Women's Open. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Golfers were out on the driving range at Lancaster Country Club Satruday morning before the start of round 3 of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Stacy Lewis saves par on this putt on the eighth hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis saves par on this putt on the eighth hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Amy Yang follows through on her tee shot on the second hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Amy Yang follows through on her tee shot on the second hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis watches her tee shot on the first hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis watches her tee shot on the first hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis chips from a bunker on the eighth hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis chips from a bunker on the eighth hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis follows a drive off the seventh tee while a kayaker watches on the Conestoga River during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis follows a drive off the seventh tee while a kayaker watches on the Conestoga River during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis hits a drive on the fourth hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis hits a drive on the fourth hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis makes par on the 12th hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis makes par on the 12th hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Amy Yang makes a putt for birdie on the sixth hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Amy Yang makes a putt for birdie on the sixth hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis tees off on the 10th hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis tees off on the 10th hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Amy Yang tees off on the fourth hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Amy Yang tees off on the fourth hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis watches her tee shot on the fifth hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis watches her tee shot on the fifth hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis watches her tee shot on the second hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis watches her tee shot on the second hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis gets a birdie putt to drop on the fourth hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis gets a birdie putt to drop on the fourth hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis stares down a putt that wouldn't drop on the first hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis stares down a putt that wouldn’t drop on the first hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis putts on the first hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis putts on the first hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Amy Yang hits from the seventh fairway during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Amy Yang hits from the seventh fairway during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis watches her tee shot on the first hole during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis watches her tee shot on the first hole during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis hits a shot from the fairway on hole 7 during Round 3 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Stacy Lewis hits a shot from the fairway on hole 7 during Round 3 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Saturday, July 11.

Spectators use binoculars to look down the 18th fairway from the clubhouse during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators use binoculars to look down the 18th fairway from the clubhouse during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Marina Alex hits out of the bunker on the 18th hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Marina Alex hits out of the bunker on the 18th hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

In the shade was the popular place to be as temperatures climbed into the mid 80's during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

In the shade was the popular place to be as temperatures climbed into the mid 80’s during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators watch from the grandstands on the 18th hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators watch from the grandstands on the 18th hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Stacy Lewis talks to the media after finishing Round 3 of the 2017 U.S. Open at Lancaster Country Club in second place at five under par. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Stacy Lewis talks to the media after finishing Round 3 of the 2017 U.S. Open at Lancaster Country Club in second place at five under par. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Amy Yang talks to the media after finishing Round 3 of the U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday. Yang finished Round 3 of the open in first place at eight under par. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Amy Yang talks to the media after finishing Round 3 of the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday. Yang finished Round 3 of the open in first place at eight under par. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Courtney Lenderman, 8, of Mechanicsburg, shows her autographed ball she received from Shiho Oyama, before she teed oof on the 1st hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Courtney Lenderman, 8, of Mechanicsburg, shows her autographed ball she received from Shiho Oyama, before she teed oof on the 1st hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, and Marina Alex, make their way down the hill after teeing off on the 3rd hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, and Marina Alex, make their way down the hill after teeing off on the 3rd hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Spectators and volunteers help a woman get up after she fell trying to get out of the way of a Marina Alex errant ball on the 3rd hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Spectators and volunteers help a woman get up after she fell trying to get out of the way of a Marina Alex errant ball on the 3rd hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Marina Alex, hits out of the rough after overshooting the green on her bunker shot at the 3rd hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Marina Alex, hits out of the rough after overshooting the green on her bunker shot at the 3rd hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

A Fox Sports camera crew follows Shiho Oyama, and Marina Alex, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

A Fox Sports camera crew follows Shiho Oyama, and Marina Alex, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Inbee Park, left, and her caddie Brad Beecher, make their way down to the 6th green after teeing off, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Inbee Park, left, and her caddie Brad Beecher, make their way down to the 6th green after teeing off, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Marina Alex, crosses the bridge after teeing off on the 8th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Marina Alex, crosses the bridge after teeing off on the 8th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, walks to the 9th tee box after a birdie on 8, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, walks to the 9th tee box after a birdie on 8, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Ms. Peggy Steinman, takes in the action at the 18th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Peggy Steinman, takes in the action at the 18th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Fans check the scores at the 18th hole leader board, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Fans check the scores at the 18th hole leader board, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, hits her approach shot on the 1st hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, hits her approach shot on the 1st hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, eyes up a putt on the 2nd hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, eyes up a putt on the 2nd hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, putts on the 2nd hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, putts on the 2nd hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Marina Alex, putts on the 2nd hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Marina Alex, putts on the 2nd hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

A course marshall signals the 3rd green that the next group is on their way to the tee box, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

A course marshall signals the 3rd green that the next group is on their way to the tee box, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, tees off on the 3rd hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, tees off on the 3rd hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Fans cheer on the players from the 6th hole gallery, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Fans cheer on the players from the 6th hole gallery, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

A Fox Sports camera crew gets Shiho Oyama, teeing off on the 9th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

A Fox Sports camera crew gets Shiho Oyama, teeing off on the 9th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, tees off from the 9th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, tees off from the 9th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Marina Alex, tees off on the 9th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Marina Alex, tees off on the 9th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Marina Alex, hits out of the bunker on the 9th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Marina Alex, hits out of the bunker on the 9th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

A Fox Sports camera crew on the 4th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

A Fox Sports camera crew on the 4th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Marina Alex, tees off on the 7th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Marina Alex, tees off on the 7th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, tees off on the 7th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, tees off on the 7th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, eyes up a putt on the 7th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, eyes up a putt on the 7th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, crosses the bridge after teeing off on the 8th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, crosses the bridge after teeing off on the 8th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, reacts after a birdie putt on the 8th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, reacts after a birdie putt on the 8th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, acknowledges the crowd after a birdie putt on the 8th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Shiho Oyama, acknowledges the crowd after a birdie putt on the 8th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Jane Park tees off on the fifth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Jane Park tees off on the fifth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Jane Park hits an approach shot on the seventh hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Jane Park hits an approach shot on the seventh hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Jane Park tees off on the ninth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Jane Park tees off on the ninth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Jane Park eyes up a putt on the ninth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. Park birdied the hole. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Jane Park eyes up a putt on the ninth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. Park birdied the hole. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Jane Park celebrates a long birdie putt on the ninth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Jane Park celebrates a long birdie putt on the ninth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Jane Park celebrates a long birdie putt on the ninth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Jane Park celebrates a long birdie putt on the ninth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park eyes up a putt on the third hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park eyes up a putt on the third hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park putts on the third hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park putts on the third hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park tees off on the fifth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park tees off on the fifth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park putts on the sixth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park putts on the sixth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park hits an approach shot on the ninth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park hits an approach shot on the ninth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park tees off on the eighth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park tees off on the eighth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park tees off on the third hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park tees off on the third hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park and Jane Park arrive on the second during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park and Jane Park arrive on the second during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park and Jane Park move on to the next tee during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park and Jane Park move on to the next tee during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators applaud the tee off of Inbee Park on the sixth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators applaud the tee off of Inbee Park on the sixth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators watch play during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators watch play during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park putts on the sixth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015.(Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Inbee Park putts on the sixth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015.(Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators watch play on the sixth green during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators watch play on the sixth green during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators watch as Jane Park putts on the seventh hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators watch as Jane Park putts on the seventh hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Scoreboard of Park and Park on the seventh hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Scoreboard of Park and Park on the seventh hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators watch as Inbee Park putts on the eighth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators watch as Inbee Park putts on the eighth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators watch play the eighth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Spectators watch play the eighth hole during the third round of play in the U.S. Women’s Open at the Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster on Saturday, July 11, 2015. (Photo/Vinny Tennis)

Megan Khang is handed an iron from her caddie and father Lee Khang in Round 3 of the U.> Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday. (Photo/Blaine)

Megan Khang is handed an iron from her caddie and father Lee Khang in Round 3 of the U.> Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday. (Photo/Blaine)

Megan Khang tees off on hole #2 in Round 3 of the U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday. (Photo/Blaine)

Megan Khang tees off on hole #2 in Round 3 of the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday. (Photo/Blaine)

Fans along the #1 Fairway take pictures of Michelle Wie and Pernilla Lindberg after their tee shots in Round 3 of the U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday. (Photo/Shahan)

Fans along the #1 Fairway take pictures of Michelle Wie and Pernilla Lindberg after their tee shots in Round 3 of the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday. (Photo/Shahan)

Michelle Wie tees off at hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Michelle Wie tees off at hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Pernilla Lindberg tees off on hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Pernilla Lindberg tees off on hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Michelle Wie putts on hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Michelle Wie putts on hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Karrie Webb chips from the rough on hole #1 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Karrie Webb chips from the rough on hole #1 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Gee Chun putts on the #1 green at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Gee Chun putts on the #1 green at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Karrie Webb tees off on hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Karrie Webb tees off on hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

A Fox Sports camera catches the action along hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

A Fox Sports camera catches the action along hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Fox Sports was using a telescopping camera on the #2 fairway at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Fox Sports was using a telescopping camera on the #2 fairway at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Rumi Yoshiba hits from the #2 fairway at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Rumi Yoshiba hits from the #2 fairway at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Morgan Pressel his from the #2 fairway at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Morgan Pressel his from the #2 fairway at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Lee Lopez tees off at hole #9 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. Lopez had a hole-in-one earlier in her round on hole #6. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Lee Lopez tees off at hole #9 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. Lopez had a hole-in-one earlier in her round on hole #6. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

In Gee Chun tees off from hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

In Gee Chun tees off from hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

In Gee Chun tees off from hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

In Gee Chun tees off from hole #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Kayakers on the Conestoga River watch Morgan Pressel tee off at hole #7 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Kayakers on the Conestoga River watch Morgan Pressel tee off at hole #7 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Kayakers and Conoers paddle along the Conestoga River through Lancaster Country Club during the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Kayakers and Conoers paddle along the Conestoga River through Lancaster Country Club during the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Kayakers float along the Conestoga River through Lancaster Country Club during the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Kayakers float along the Conestoga River through Lancaster Country Club during the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Fans Watch Michelle Wie and Pernilla Lindberg putt on #8 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Fans Watch Michelle Wie and Pernilla Lindberg putt on #8 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Chella Choi, left, and her caddie Jiyeon Choi, eye up a putt on the 11th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, left, and her caddie Jiyeon Choi, eye up a putt on the 11th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, chips off a hill at the back of the 11th green, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, chips off a hill at the back of the 11th green, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, tees off on the 12th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, tees off on the 12th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, hits off the fairway on the 13th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, hits off the fairway on the 13th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, right, acknowledges the crowd after a birdie on the 13th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, right, acknowledges the crowd after a birdie on the 13th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Karine Icher, blasts out of the sand on the 14th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Karine Icher, blasts out of the sand on the 14th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, chips off the fringe on the 14th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, chips off the fringe on the 14th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, acknowledges the crowd after her putt on the 14th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, acknowledges the crowd after her putt on the 14th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, tees off on the 15th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, tees off on the 15th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, tees off on the 14th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi, tees off on the 14th hole, during third day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday July 11, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Chella Choi shot a 6-under 64 on Saturday at the U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club. (Chris Knight photo)

Chella Choi shot a 6-under 64 on Saturday at the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club. (Chris Knight photo)

Bruce Roth (center) , of Lancaster, and Lancaster natives Bob Culp, left, and David McCormick walk the path toward hole 3 at Lancaster Country Club Saturday.

Bruce Roth (center) , of Lancaster, and Lancaster natives Bob Culp, left, and David McCormick walk the path toward hole 3 at Lancaster Country Club Saturday.

Lexi Thompson makes her approach shot on #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the U.S. Women's Open Saturday. Thompson was tied for 12th at the start of play Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Lexi Thompson makes her approach shot on #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

I. K. Kim putts on #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the U.S. Women's Open Saturday. Kim was tied for 47th place at the start of play Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

I. K. Kim putts on #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Lexi Thompson putts on #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the U.S. Women's Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Lexi Thompson putts on #2 at Lancaster Country Club in Round 3 of the U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Lancaster Country Club's Alli Weaver putts on #8 in Round 3 of the 2015 U.S. Open Saturday morning. Weaver is the "Marker" who is playing along with Haruka Morita-Wanyaolu who is unpaird for this round of the tournament. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Lancaster Country Club’s Alli Weaver putts on #8 in Round 3 of the 2015 U.S. Open Saturday morning. Weaver is the “Marker” who is playing along with Haruka Morita-Wanyaolu who is unpaired for this round of the tournament. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Lancaster Country Club's Alli Weaver chips on #8 in Round 3 of the 2015 U.S. Open Saturday morning. Weaver is the "Marker" who is playing along with Haruka Morita-Wanyaolu who is unpaird for this round of the tournament. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Lancaster Country Club’s Alli Weaver chips on #8 in Round 3 of the 2015 U.S. Open Saturday morning. Weaver is the “Marker” who is playing along with Haruka Morita-Wanyaolu who is unpaird for this round of the tournament. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Spectators watch golfers on the driving range at Lancaster Country Club Saturday morning before the start of Round 3 of the 2015 U.S. Women's Open. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Spectators watch golfers on the driving range at Lancaster Country Club Saturday morning before the start of Round 3 of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Rick Schoenberber, of Leola, and his wife Donna walk on the pathway that crosses hole #1 at Lancaster Country Club before the start of Round 3 of the U.S. Women's Open Saturday. Schoenberger, who is a retired East Hempfield Township Police Lieutenant, has been at Lancaster Country Club for every day of the event but plans to watch the finals Sunday from home on television.

Rick Schoenberber, of Leola, and his wife Donna walk on the pathway that crosses hole #1 at Lancaster Country Club before the start of Round 3 of the U.S. Women’s Open Saturday. Schoenberger, who is a retired East Hempfield Township Police Lieutenant, has been at Lancaster Country Club for five days of the event but plans to watch the finals Sunday from home on television.

Fans line up next to the tee on hole #1 at Lancaster Country Club Saturday morning waiting for the start of Round 3 of the U.S. Women's Open. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Fans line up next to the tee on hole #1 at Lancaster Country Club Saturday morning waiting for the start of Round 3 of the U.S. Women’s Open. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Haruka Morita-Wanyaolu was the fisrt golfer to tee off for Round 3 of the 2015 U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Haruka Morita-Wanyaolu was the fisrt golfer to tee off for Round 3 of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Saturday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Lancaster Country Club's Alli Weaver tees off at hole #1 at the start of Round 3 of the 2015 U.S. Open Saturday morning. Weaver is the "Marker" who is playing along with Haruka Morita-Wanyaolu who is unpaird for this rond of the tournament. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Lancaster Country Club’s Alli Weaver tees off at hole #1 at the start of Round 3 of the 2015 U.S. Open Saturday morning. Weaver is the “Marker” who is playing along with Haruka Morita-Wanyaolu who is unpaird for this rond of the tournament. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)


Marina Alex tees off on the seventh hole during Round 2 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Great preparation helped USGA tame Thursday’s storm at LCC

Posted:

 

As you may have heard and felt, a savage thunderstorm ripped through the area Thursday, as the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open was winding down.

The storm hit around 6 p.m., with 56 golfers still on the course. It was short — maybe 10 minutes — but impressive, causing damage to trees and bunkers on the golf course and challenging the foundation of some of the temporary structures built on the property for the event.

Water poured in the media center, where electric power was briefly lost and “hearty,” “tough-minded” media members were told to stay put for their safety.

Turned out to be not that big a deal.

The United States Golf Association knew it was coming. It has a meteorologist on site and lengthy experience dealing with just this problem.

Well before the storm hit, players were pulled off the course and spectators off the property.

After the storm, the practice range was re-opened to the players around 7:15 p.m., at which point the plan was to play more golf Thursday. That plan, and all golf for the day, was scrapped at 7:53.

“I think our goal anytime we’re in that situation is to play as much golf as possible,” said Mike Sawicki, Tournament Director for the USGA. “We had somebody go to every single hole and report on anything they saw from debris to the bunker washouts.

“At that point the determination was made that we would have a better use of time by cleaning it up last night, getting a full day in today and we think we can conclude Round 2 today and be back on schedule tomorrow.”

That was obviously the correct call. The maintenance crew worked through the night, and the golf course was ready at dawn Friday.

Although some of the field had to play as many as seven holes Friday morning to complete their first round, starting times for Round 2 were pushed back only about 20 minutes.

The second round was easily completed Friday, and everything is now back on schedule, with excellent weather forecast for the weekend.

“We had set up a very sophisticated schedule with the maintenance department, with our vendors, and then with our course set-up teams to follow an exact order,” Sawicki said.

“It’s part of our planning that we’ve done over the last couple of years. Our execution, in my opinion, was next to flawless.”


Saturday’s third-round tee times for U.S. Women’s Open

Posted:

The field has been cut following the first two rounds of the championship. All golfers will tee off from the first hole at Lancaster Country Club today.
(a = amateur)

8:24 a.m. — Haruka Morita-Wanyaolu
8:35 a.m. — Mirim Lee, Danielle Kang
8:46 a.m. — Sakura Yokomine, Jaye Marie Green
8:57 a.m. — Mariel Galdiano (a), Ha Na Jang
9:08 a.m. — Chella Choi, Karine Icher
9:19 a.m. — Kim Kaufman, Elizabeth Nagel
9:30 a.m. — Gerina Piller, Mo Martin
9:41 a.m. — Charley Hull, Maria Balikoeva
9:52 a.m. — I.K. Kim, Lexi Thompson
10:03 a.m. — Alison Lee, Brooke Henderson
10:14 a.m. — Hannah O’Sullivan (a), Sydnee Michaels
10:25 a.m. — Emma Talley (a), Jenny Shin
10:36 a.m. — Teresa Lu, Lee-Anne Pace
10:47 a.m. — Austin Ernst, Lydia Ko
10:58 a.m. — Muni He (a), Paula Creamer
11:09 a.m. — Mi Jung Hur, Laura Davies
11:20 a.m. — Erika Kikuchi, Lala Anai
11:31 a.m. — Megan Khang (a), Kris Tamulis
11:42 a.m. — Jung Min Lee, Azahara Munoz
11:53 a.m. — Ayako Uehara, Ryann O’Toole
12:04 p.m. — Q Baek, Na Yeon Choi
12:15 p.m. — Candie Kung, Ai Suzuki
12:26 p.m. — Lee Lopez, Brittany Lang
12:37 p.m. — So Yeon Ryu, Lizette Salas
12:48 p.m. — Michelle Wie, Pernilla Lindberg
12:59 p.m. — Mi Hyang Lee, Sei Young Kim
1:10 p.m. — Angela Stanford, Min Lee
1:21 p.m — Karrie Webb, In Gee Chun
1:32 p.m. — Morgan Pressel, Rumi Yoshiba
1:43 p.m. — Jane Park, Inbee Park
1:54 p.m. — Marina Alex, Shiho Oyama
2:05 p.m. — Stacy Lewis, Amy Yang


U.S. Women’s Open: Second-round scoreboard

Posted:

U.S. Women’s Open: Round 2 full scoreboard
Friday
At Lancaster Country Club
Lancaster, Pa.
Purse: TBA ($4 million in 2014)
Yardage: 6,483; Par: 70
Second Round
a-denotes amateur
Amy Yang 67-66—133 -7
Stacy Lewis 69-67—136 -4
Shiho Oyama 70-66—136 -4
Marina Alex 66-71—137 -3
Inbee Park 68-70—138 -2
Jane Park 66-72—138 -2
Rumi Yoshiba 70-68—138 -2
Morgan Pressel 68-70—138 -2
In Gee Chun 68-70—138 -2
Karrie Webb 66-72—138 -2
Min Lee 71-68—139 -1
Angela Stanford 71-69—140 E
Sei Young Kim 73-67—140 E
Mi Hyang Lee 68-72—140 E
Pernilla Lindberg 70-70—140 E
Michelle Wie 72-68—140 E
Lizette Salas 71-69—140 E
So Yeon Ryu 72-68—140 E
Brittany Lang 70-70—140 E
Lee Lopez 71-70—141 +1
Ai Suzuki 70-71—141 +1
Candie Kung 71-70—141 +1
Na Yeon Choi 67-74—141 +1
Q Baek 70-71—141 +1
Ryann O’Toole 71-70—141 +1
Ayako Uehara 71-70—141 +1
Azahara Munoz 69-72—141 +1
Jung Min Lee 70-71—141 +1
Kris Tamulis 72-69—141 +1
a-Megan Khang 71-70—141 +1
Lala Anai 71-70—141 +1
Erika Kikuchi 71-71—142 +2
Laura Davies 70-72—142 +2
Mi Jung Hur 73-69—142 +2
Paula Creamer 69-73—142 +2
a-Muni He 68-74—142 +2
Lydia Ko 70-72—142 +2
Austin Ernst 68-74—142 +2
Lee-Anne Pace 73-69—142 +2
Teresa Lu 71-71—142 +2
Jenny Shin 74-68—142 +2
a-Emma Talley 70-72—142 +2
Sydnee Michaels 68-74—142 +2
a-Hannah O’Sullivan 72-71—143 +3
Brooke Henderson 70-73—143 +3
Alison Lee 70-73—143 +3
Lexi Thompson 71-72—143 +3
I.K. Kim 74-69—143 +3
Maria Balikoeva 74-69—143 +3
Charley Hull 71-72—143 +3
Mo Martin 71-72—143 +3
Gerina Piller 71-72—143 +3
Elizabeth Nagel 68-75—143 +3
Kim Kaufman 72-72—144 +4
Karine Icher 73-71—144 +4
Chella Choi 71-73—144 +4
Ha Na Jang 72-72—144 +4
a-Mariel Galdiano 70-74—144 +4
Jaye Marie Green 71-73—144 +4
Sakura Yokomine 71-73—144 +4
Danielle Kang 71-73—144 +4
Mirim Lee 71-73—144 +4
Haruka Morita-Wanyaolu 71-73—144 +4

Failed to make the cut
Hee Young Park 72-73—145 +5
Yani Tseng 73-72—145 +5
Minjee Lee 73-72—145 +5
Mariajo Uribe 74-71—145 +5
Gwladys Nocera 74-71—145 +5
Dewi Claire Schreefel 75-70—145 +5
a-Maria Fassi 74-72—146 +6
Beatriz Recari 73-73—146 +6
Anna Nordqvist 71-75—146 +6
Hyo Joo Kim 70-76—146 +6
a-Regina Plasencia 75-71—146 +6
Eun Hee Ji 75-71—146 +6
Shanshan Feng 73-73—146 +6
Mina Harigae 71-76—147 +7
Belen Mozo 72-75—147 +7
Christina Kim 72-75—147 +7
Moriya Jutanugarn 75-72—147 +7
Julieta Granada 73-74—147 +7
Catriona Matthew 74-73—147 +7
Jennifer Coleman 73-74—147 +7
Amelia Lewis 74-73—147 +7
Ji-Young Oh 73-74—147 +7
a-Nikolette Schroeder 73-74—147 +7
Xiyu Lin 74-73—147 +7
Haru Nomura 75-72—147 +7
Laura Diaz 72-75—147 +7
Thidapa Suwannapura 72-75—147 +7
Stephanie Connelly 71-77—148 +8
Katherine Kirk 75-73—148 +8
Cristie Kerr 75-73—148 +8
Wei Ling Hsu 71-77—148 +8
Alejandra Llaneza 74-74—148 +8
a-Gaby Lopez 72-76—148 +8
a-Daniela Darquea 78-70—148 +8
Mika Miyazato 77-71—148 +8
Tiffany Joh 72-76—148 +8
Suzann Pettersen 79-69—148 +8
a-So Young Lee 77-71—148 +8
a-Suzuka Yamaguchi 73-76—149 +9
a-Celine Boutier 76-73—149 +9
Mallory Blackwelder 75-74—149 +9
Jodi Ewart Shadoff 75-74—149 +9
Carlota Ciganda 72-77—149 +9
Brittany Lincicome 75-74—149 +9
a-Dylan Kim 75-74—149 +9
Nontaya Srisawang 74-75—149 +9
a-Min Gyeong Youn 73-76—149 +9
Sarah-Jane Smith 76-73—149 +9
Lauren Taylor 75-75—150 +10
Ilhee Lee 82-68—150 +10
Sandra Gal 77-73—150 +10
a-Lindsey Weaver 76-74—150 +10
Breanna Elliott 73-77—150 +10
Ariya Jutanugarn 79-71—150 +10
Pornanong Phatlum 77-73—150 +10
Ally McDonald 74-76—150 +10
Jessica Korda 81-70—151 +11
Sun Young Yoo 79-72—151 +11
Line Vedel 77-74—151 +11
Bertine Strauss 74-77—151 +11
a-Lilia Khatu Vu 77-74—151 +11
a-Kristen Gillman 75-76—151 +11
Holly Aitchison 75-77—152 +12
Jennifer Song 76-76—152 +12
Caroline Masson 75-77—152 +12
a-Beth Lillie 77-75—152 +12
a-Angella Then 76-76—152 +12
Su Oh 79-73—152 +12
Stephanie Meadow 79-74—153 +13
a-Sarah Burnham 79-74—153 +13
Haley Italia 77-76—153 +13
Kylie Walker 78-75—153 +13
Christina Foster 71-82—153 +13
Yuting Shi 79-75—154 +14
a-Samantha Wagner 80-74—154 +14
Lauren Doughtie 76-78—154 +14
Georgia Hall 78-76—154 +14
Birdie Kim 74-80—154 +14
Meena Lee 77-77—154 +14
Natalie Gulbis 81-73—154 +14
a-Jennifer Park 81-74—155 +15
Babe Liu 77-78—155 +15
Brooke Pancake 76-79—155 +15
Yanhong Pan 77-79—156 +16
Ayaka Matsumori 75-81—156 +16
Heather Macrae 80-76—156 +16
Caroline Hedwall 80-77—157 +17
Misuzu Narita 79-79—158 +18
Dori Carter 80-80—160 +20
a-Lori Adams 84-77—161 +21
a-Nikki Long 86-79—165 +25
Haeji Kang 80—WD


Jane Park chips from the fringe of the 9th hole during Round 2 of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Player notes: Little things lift Jane Park to solid round at US Women’s Open

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While everybody likes to see long drives, often times doing the little things are what can make for a successful round of golf.
Just ask Jane Park. Despite being dead last in the field in driving distance, Park finished her round of 66 Friday morning to be one of the co-leaders at the U.S. Women’s Open. She then went out and shot a second-round 72 and is 2-under-par for the tournament heading into the weekend.
“I give up a lot of distance off the tee, but my irons and my woods are very, very accurate,” she said. “And fortunately, I’ve got a pretty good hold of how far I’m hitting all of my clubs.”
Soft conditions have also been a big help to Park. Long approach shots have landed much softer on the greens thanks to all the rain.
“The greens are very soft, very receptive,” she said. “And as long as you have your distances down, you can go at some of these pins, for sure.”
After playing 23 holes of golf Friday, Park was planning on spending her evening away from the course.
“I really want to go see the local Amish people,” she said. “I haven’t done that yet. So I think this afternoon would be a good afternoon to just kind of get away from golf and have some good food and prepare for tomorrow, get some good rest.”

Lee’s breakthrough

Rookie Min Lee had yet to be much of a factor on the LPGA Tour — until the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open. On a tougher day for scoring, Lee went out and birdied four of her first six holes. She shot a blistering 31 on the front nine, and ended with a 68 for the round.
“I feel like my iron shots were pretty good today and I was trying to be aggressive to attack the pins, for more chances at a birdie,” Lee said.
She faltered a little on the back nine — commonly thought of as the tougher nine at Lancaster Country Club — shooting 37 without a birdie.
“I think the back nine is a little longer, so I was a little upset that I made two bogeys. But I will take that score. That’s really good for me,” Lee said.
Lee is now at 2-under for the tournament and in contention heading into the weekend.

On an even keel

Pars in a U.S. Open are always a good score, and Angela Stanford has made plenty of them. So far, she’s parred 30 of the 36 holes she’s played this week and currently sits at even par after two rounds.
“I hit the ball really well and only missed one green,” Stanford said.
Her steady play has lent itself well on a tough golf course.
“I feel like it’s only going to get tougher,” she said. “I think they could get pretty mean, I think, with the course setup. I think it’s tough either way.”
She was also buoyed by the crowds, following the veteran American around.
“It’s awesome,” she said. “It’s fun to see so many people. Any time you get to play in front of a lot of people, you get a little more juiced up.”


Mariajo Uribe tees off from #1 at Lancaster Country Club to start her second round of the 2015 U.S. Open Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Uribe laments lost chances at US Women’s Open

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As a polite and attentive silence enveloped the sun-soaked 18th green at Lancaster Country Club early Friday afternoon, a singular voice — that of Mariajo Uribe — attempted to coax the ball toward the hole for a birdie, and her score toward the safety zone above the projected cut line.

“Sit … sit … sit…”

The small but defiant white orb curled away from the hole, leaving Uribe to putt for par and settle at 5-over 145 through two rounds of the U.S. Women’s Open. Her 22-hole morning — including the completion of Thursday’s weather-delayed first round — turned into afternoon of waiting and hoping for a chance to play into the weekend.

The hopes dissolved, as Friday’s performances set the cut line at 4-over, eliminating Uribe from the tournament before today’s round.
“I didn’t take advantage of the opportunities,” Uribe said. “I think I four-putted four times in two days, and that’s where the score is. If not, I would be just a couple shots off the lead.”

A stormy start

Before the proverbial dust settled on the cut line Friday, literal storm clouds disrupted Uribe’s first round. Starting on Hole 10 with Paula Creamer (2-over 142) and Jessica Korda (11-over 151), Uribe found her groove midway through the front nine, recording birdies on holes 3 and 5 as the clouds thickened and crowds lining the fairways and grandstands scattered.

“I really wanted to hit my shot on Hole 6 yesterday,” Uribe said, “and the rules officials stopped me because they were going to blow the horn.”

The air horn sent Uribe and about a dozen others into a van for an hour while a severe thunderstorm tore through the venue, suspending play.

“It’s not an ideal place to be,” Uribe said, “with everybody cramping in the van. We were just talking. Gladly, we had our phones, so we could check our social media.”

When play resumed Friday morning, Uribe bogeyed the sixth hole and the ninth hole, finishing her first round at 4-over 74.

“That’s golf,” she said, “and we got a bad draw and couldn’t really sleep that much, either, but it is what it is.”

Amish experience

Uribe, a professional since 2009, spent her time away from the golf course this week savoring the pastoral side of Lancaster County, visiting an Amish farm with a group of players that included Sandra Gal, Hee Young Park and Kim Kaufman.

“We went and had dinner with one of the families,” Uribe said of the visit set up by local entrepreneur Phil Lapp. “The kids were so cute, and they had baby goats.

“Like, one that was born that day.”

The golfers enjoyed an Amish meal of fresh chicken, vegetables from the garden and ice cream.

The food accompanied a feast of cultural information for Uribe, who bonded with the Amish children at the table.

“I just kept catching myself asking them things like, ‘What time do you go to bed?'” she said.

Latin American growth

Each week on the tour offers Uribe the chance to explore different parts of the world.

“I try to do something fun every week,” she said, “especially Wednesday. It’s our down day.”

Uribe hails from Bucaramanga in Santander, Colombia, a city at the foot of mountains near the Venezuelan border.

The only Colombian to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open, Uribe joins a group of Latin-American players that includes Daniela Darquea, the tournament’s first qualifier from Ecuador, Paraguay’s Julieta Granada, and Mexico’s Gaby Lopez, Alejandra Llaneza, Regina Plasencia and Maria Fassi.

None made the cut, but Uribe said she senses an increasing interest in the game among Latin American countries.

“It’s growing,” she said. “And of course, with the Olympics (coming in 2016 to Rio de Janeiro), the governments are going to be more interested in investing in golf.”

After settling for Friday’s score, while waiting for the cut and her eventual elimination, Uribe planned to practice, work with a physical therapist and take one more trip to a Lancaster establishment.
“I was going to go to the movies,” she said, “to watch The Minions. A couple of players were going to go.”


Suzuka Yamaguchi, who'll turn 15 in August, was the youngest entrant in this year's U.S. Women's Open field.

Youngest entrant Yamaguchi, all of 14, loved Open experience

Posted: July 10, 2015 11:53 pm

Suzuka Yamaguchi walked off of the 18th green after her second round of the U.S. Women’s Open on Friday afternoon after making double-bogey on the treacherous finishing hole.

Bummed?

You wouldn’t have known it by her expression after turning in her scorecard.

The youngest player in the field — she’ll turn 15 in August — she was unfazed by the pressure of the tournament and the LPGA Tour players playing alongside of her.

“There’s no pressure because I’m having so much fun,” she said through interpreter Yukio Ishikawa.

Yamaguchi mixed six bogeys with three birdies for a 3-over-par 73 in her first round Thursday. She followed that up with five bogeys, one birdie and that double on 18 for a 6-over 76 Friday to finish below the cut line.

While she won’t be playing Saturday, she can look back on the experience as she travels home to Japan, where she will complete her third year of junior high in the fall.

Yamaguchi earned a berth in a sectional qualifier at Hyogo Pref, Japan, in June.

Prior to qualifying, she played in a practice round with Monique Ishikawa, a native of Hawaii who will be a senior at Columbia University in New York in the fall. Ishikawa missed out on qualifying, but Yamaguchi asked her to caddie for her at the Open.

“I was probably more nervous than she was,” Ishikawa said of the two rounds.

But along with carrying Yamaguchi’s clubs, Ishikawa also tried to keep Yamaguchi’s stress level in check.

“Suzuka is very mature for her age,” said Ishikawa, whose father acted as an interpreter for interviews with Yamaguchi. “I was there just to make sure she had fun.”

Yamaguchi was followed step by step by her dad, who praised the U.S. Open fans.

“We’re so impressed with the audience,” Hiroyuki Yamaguchi said. “Suzuka was asked for autographs (during practice rounds) but once the tournament started, that stopped. They have a lot of respect for the players. Only in America.”

Yamaguchi hopes to become a professional golfer one day.

For now, though, it’s back to Japan and the Unomori Junior High golf team.


Crowds cross the fairway on the 18th hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Former Lancaster-Lebanon League golfers can offer different perspective on LCC

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A lot of things have changed in the last six years, including the course at Lancaster Country Club, but Emily Quinn can still remember her 2009 round there at the Lanco Ladies City County Amateur.

Struggling on the 12th hole, at the site of this year’s U.S. Women’s Open, Quinn — a four-time District Three and two-time state qualifier while playing for Lancaster Catholic High from 2003 to 2007 — was just trying to get it up and down, figuring “a bogey’s not a disaster.”

Instead she watched as her shot out of the rough trickled into the hole and went on to claim victory, carding 87-77—164.

It’s a story that many of the LPGA players hope they can repeat — albeit with a lower score, a much bigger trophy to hoist at the end and international audiences watching their every move.

“The conditions under which I played it are completely different as to what it is now,” Quinn was quick to explain. “The fairways are narrower, the rough’s thicker, the greens are faster and they’re restructured. The course is very soft in general and rain makes it softer, so the players aren’t going to get much roll.”

According to Quinn, the rough, and the steep slope of the greens, might pose the biggest problems.

“Just walking the course, you can see the rough is long and thick,” she said. “It’s going to take a lot of strength to get out of it and it takes birdies out of play. If you keep the ball on the fairway, keep the ball below the hole, that’s how you’re going to score.”

It’s a trend that Muni He noticed after wrapping up her second round Friday.

The amateur carded a 2-under 68 in the first round, but struggled with a 4-over 74 in round two.

“It’s all about staying on the fairway, I think,” He said. “One of my problems today was I wasn’t hitting my drives too straight. I would get a bunch of bad hits into these really thick roughs and it’s hard to get out, but yesterday, the one thing that I did really well was keep it in the fairway and on the greens, which is pretty much what you want to try to do here.”

Despite six bogeys, four of which came on the back nine, He should be clear to advance with the cut projected at 5-over par.

The course isn’t the only thing Quinn is familiar with, as the former All-Conference golfer at Gannon University is attending her second U.S. Women’s Open.

Quinn was on hand at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem when Eun-Hee Ji claimed the 2009 title, but that experience doesn’t compare to hosting the championship in her hometown.

“It’s just different having it here and bringing attention to southcentral Pennsylvania,” said Quinn. “I was probably, maybe 20 yards from Cristie Kerr (at Saucon Valley), but I think the fan experience, I think you’re a lot closer to the golfers here. The course, especially with 10 and 11, nine and 18, there’s a section of the course that’s really condensed and you get a chance to be really close to the players.”

Matt Burkhart, a 2006 Lancaster Mennonite graduate who is now on the Lanco Golf Association Board of Directors and whose parents and in-laws are LCC members, wholeheartedly agreed.

“It’s fun to stand here (beside the 10th fairway) and watch them hit about the same shot I would hit and see how they handle it,” said Burkhart, who finished second in the Pennsylvania Amateur in 2011.

“It’s much more of an interactive experience because I know the course,” he continued. “I’ve been to a couple of men’s opens, but this is a lot more interesting. It’s just a lot of fun to watch and it’s fantastic not only for Lancaster Country Club, but for Lancaster County.”


Nate Fricke, left, and Ryan Sensenig, both of Lancaster, are witing for an opportunity to caddie at 2015 U.S. Women's Open.

Local caddies hope for big-time work at USWO

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Ryan Sensenig and Nate Fricke sat in the caddie hospitality area at Lancaster Country Club Tuesday, waiting for a bag and talking about a dream.

“That’s what you’re hoping for,” said Sensenig, a 32 year-old Conestoga Valley High School grad.

He was talking about caddying on a pro tour.

“I’d definitely consider it,” said Fricke, who attends Shipensburg University. “I’d have to talk to my parents about it, and finishing my education comes first, but I’d consider it.”

Both Sensenig and Fricke are regular caddies at Lancaster Country Club. It’s a summer job for Fricke and a full-time, adult gig for Sensenig, who loops at posh Calusa Pines in Florida in the winter.

Both men had caddied, in early practice rounds for the U.S. Women’s Open, for L.P.G.A. pros like I.K. Kim, Morgan Pressel, Sandra Gal and others.

Sensenig worked the pro-am at the LPGA ShopRite Classic last month.

Still, it was looking like no work was coming for the Open itself. Most tour pros have their own, traveling full-time caddies. Even the player whose caddie was asked to leave Tuesday after attempting to copy course-setup documents, Sei Young Kim, immediately hired her father as her caddie.

“It can be harder to make it on tour as a caddie than a player,” Sensenig said. “Look at Fluff.”

That’s Mike “Fluff” Cowan, who has worked for Peter Jacobsen in the 1980s, Tiger Woods in the 1990s, and Jim Furyk ever since.

“He’s had three careers,” Sensenig said.

Still, there’s the dream.

It’s the Michael Greller dream.

Greller was a sixth-grade teacher in University Place, Wash. when he got the chance to caddie in the 2011 U.S.G.A. Junior Amateur for the defending champion, a kid named Jordan Spieth.

Spieth and Greller worked together like Batman and Robin, well enough that when Spieth turned pro as a player, he asked Greller to turn pro as a looper.

Spieth is now the Masters and British Open, and Greller will likely never teach sixth graders again.

“It can happen,” Fricke said.

Neither Fricke nor Sensenig got caddying jobs for the Open, but Sensenig did catch on with Fox television working as an on-course spotter.

He was damp with sweat as he took a break from that gig in the middle of the day Thursday.

“It’s pretty complicated,” he said. “You really have to stay on top of it. It’s probably as hard as caddying would be.”


Fans make their way between holes at Lancaster Country Club as they watch the second round of the 2015 U.S. Women's Open Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

These boots are made for walking (18 holes)

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[youtube id=”chuf9L9cyuk”]The question popped into my head earlier this week when I realized I was logging an average of about 15,000-plus steps a day —  according to the Fitbit watch my wife surprised me with last Christmas —  while out covering the U.S. Women’s Open along with my colleagues.

I wonder what it would be like for a spectator following one golfer for all 18 holes at Lancaster Country Club?

How many total steps —  and miles —  would that amount to from Hole No. 1 to Hole No. 18? After all, the official distance of the course on Friday was listed at 6,289 yards, which equals about three-and-a-half miles. But that’s the distance from the tees to the holes. Surely, for a fan walking from hole-to-hole, alongside the fairways, and traversing the hills and crowds, the distance has to be longer.

Well, on Friday I made the decision to find out by walking the entire course, and keeping track of the steps and mileage along the way —  all I was missing was singer Nancy Sinatra providing the theme music.

I also chatted with several spectators during the trek, especially those wearing sandals, because Dr. Christine Stabler told LNP reporter Heather Stauffer earlier this week that many patients at the wellness pavilions were showing up with blisters. That was still the case Friday, according to Alice Yoder, the director of community health for Lancaster General Health, who was helping out at a wellness pavilion.

“We’re not seeing dehydration as much, but we’re probably moreso seeing people with blisters and bee stings,” Yoder told me after I finished my journey. “We had to give an epipen two days ago.”

Shockingly, of the dozen or so folks I chatted who were with wearing sandals, none complained of blisters — some pointing out they were wearing sandals already broken in. Yoder also stressed the importance of hydrating before arriving at LCC and continuing to drink water while at the course.

“We’ve had a few people say they don’t want to use porta-potties so they don’t drink,” she said.

There were those, however, who used common sense. Like Laura Duffy, a mom from Philadelphia who is in town with her husband, 3-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter. Duffy was sitting in the grass next to the 15th fairway on Friday afternoon holding her son, Sean, in her arms while her daughter, Meghan, lay on the grass, both kids soundly asleep.

“We’re just taking a break,” Duffy said. “I hope they can sleep for another hour.”

Another mom and dad, Amy and Ryan Lewis, were in town from New Jersey with their 9-month-old son and 3-year-old daughter. They only caught my eye when I saw their daughter standing on a skateboard attached to the stroller dad was pushing around, a stroller I learned is designed by a company called Orbit. No, not the gum.

“Usually whenever we go to a tournament, (my daughter) is always looking for Stacy Lewis because we have the same last name,” Amy Lewis said.

There was also an older woman, a breast cancer patient from New Jersey, currently going through chemotherapy who found a tree to sit under Friday while her husband was out walking the course. And even a former elementary school classmate of mine, Ryan Keagy, who didn’t let a broken foot stop him from coming out. He was using a scooter and a pair of crutches to get around.

“I love sports, so if something like this is in town I gotta go to it,” Keagy said.

So no excuses for me as I walked all 18 holes Friday. In all, it took me roughly 11,000 steps — for a total of about five miles —  to walk the entire LCC course (the longest hole being the beast that is No. 18, which took about 1,100 steps). Also, a full bottle of water. And don’t expect to have much gas left in the tank when you’re done —  definitely had to work up the energy just to write this.

Oops. There goes that no excuses rule. At least I was finally able to live up my last name.

John Walk is a sports writer for LNP. Email him at jwalk@lnpnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JWalkLNP.


Mike Trostel interviews Jane Park after she finished her second round of the U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday.

Mike Gross: Yes, short hitters have a shot this week

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At Pinehurst Country Club last year, the USGA held a grand experiment by conducting the men’s and women’s U.S. Opens back-to-back at the same venue.

Further, they paid players and caddies for information — what clubs were hit off tees and into greens, how balls reacted on greens and fairways, how much bounce, how much roll, etc.
A collection of 72,000 data points yielded a clear conclusion.

“What we learned,” USGA Executive Director Mike Davis said Thursday, is that if you set up the golf course the same (for both genders), the scoring is almost identical.”

By “the same,” Davis means different — setting up a course so that men and women hit roughly the same clubs into greens and have comparable driving areas. In order words, so that it plays the same for both.

More on that story, including a preponderance of the evidence from the first two days of the U.S. Women’s Open: These folks can really, really play golf.

The men hit it much farther. They probably have better control of distance and trajectory, especially on shots of, say, 175 yards or more.

But the women hit it much straighter and “the farther your ball goes, the farther it goes … in another direction.”

That bit of wisdom comes from Muni He, age 15, of California by way of Chengdu, in southcentral China, which, we’re told, is where all the pandas are.

He is already committed to Southern Cal with two years of high school remaining. She has a pure, athletic swing and a lean, lithe body.

She’s also roughly five-foot-nothing, and appears to weigh as much as a headcover, although she claims 115 pounds, She admitted Friday she can’t reach the par-4 18th hole in two shots.

On a number of the other par-4s, she said, “I have to hit my 3-wood or 5-wood.”

He shot 68 Thursday. She’s at 2-over 142 through two rounds, easily inside the cut line.

“Girls tend to be a little more consistent,” He said.

They also seem — maybe I’m reaching here — to be in touch, in temperament and approach to their work, with golf’s essence: You get a number at the end of the day. That number isn’t impressed with you. It can’t be argued with. It’s the only thing that matters.

The shortest driver in the field this week has been Jane Park, at 215 yards per drive.

Park said Friday she really hits it farther than 215, but that on this course, many of her drives seem to land in upslopes or “just stop, right beside their ball-marks.”

Yes, her drivers are making ball-marks.

She couldn’t reach nine, a par-4, in two Friday (“I know it was a bogey, but I did my best,” she said.). Park did reach the long 18th, but it was for the first time all week.

Especially if you don’t play golf, it’s hard to convey how much of a disadvantage this is.
Rory McIlroy hits a 6-iron 215 yards. Imagine how McIlroy would tackle Lancaster Country Club if you took every club out of his bag longer than 6-iron.

“But I’m hitting it on a string right now, which helps,” Park said.

It must. She’s at 66-72-138, two under par.

After a distinguished junior and amateur career, Park has never won as a pro. She had to qualify to get here. Because of Thursday’s savage thunderstorm, she had to get up way early Friday to play the final five holes of her first round.

“Good way to start the day,” she said. “Beautiful course in the morning. It’s absolutely gorgeous.”

You are not going to drag her down.

Park is known for her sense of humor, a quality that can be tested by missing a 20-inch putt, as Park did Friday for a par at the par-5 seventh.

“I’ve already forgotten about it,” she said. “I actually wasn’t even thinking about it until someone asked me after my round. You’ve just got to let those go.”

Tangibly, I don’t know how they do it. Part of the explanation is an intangible, a remarkable, matter-of-fact way of simply getting on with it.

Who was that goofball who implied that short hitters have no shot this week?

Oh, right.