U.S. Women’s Open field full of Razorback golfers
FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas women’s golf team is staying busy this summer beginning this week with five current and former Razorbacks taking part in the U.S. Women’s Open at Shoal Creek Country Club in Alabama.
Current players Maria Fassi, Kaylee Benton and Dylan Kim join the field after advancing through regional qualifying tournaments. #ProHogs Stacy Lewis and Gabriela Lopez are in the field as LPGA Tour members.
The Razorbacks’ first U.S. Women’ Open participant dates back to 2005 when Arkansas native Amanda McCurdy qualified. Lewis was next and has been in the field every year since 2007. Other Razorbacks who have played at the event include Kelli Shean, Lucy Nunn, Emily Tubert, Regina Plasencia and Lopez. Kim also qualified in 2017 before joining the Razorbacks.
Lewis is Arkansas’ best finisher at the event playing to a runner-up spot in 2014 and tying for third twice (2008, 2015).
This year’s event takes place at Shoal Creek Country Club in Shoal Creek, Alabama, May 31-June 3. The first two round’s tee times were set before the tournament.
After the first round yesterday, tee times today include Kim at No. 10 at 8:41 a.m.; Lopez, No. 10, 12:42 p.m.; Fassi, No. 10, 12:53 p.m.; Lewis, No.
1, 1:15 p.m.; and Benton, No. 1,
2:32 p.m.
Fassi also earned a sponsor’s exemption to the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. Benton, Kim and recently graduated senior Alana Uriell will all take part in the Monday qualifier on June 18, with weekend action beginning June 22.
Fassi paced Arkansas to a record-setting season that included the program’s first Southeastern Conference and NCAA Regional titles. The Pachuca, Mexico, native played to six individual titles and tied for the win at the SEC Championship. She earned SEC Golfer of the Year honors and was a first-team All-SEC and Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American this season.
The Road to the #NWAChampionship awards the top ranked University of Arkansas player a sponsor’s exemption into the event with additional players receiving an exemption into the Monday qualifier based on stroke averages from the season. Kim, Uriell and Benton will have the opportunity to join the tournament field through the qualifier.
This is Fassi’s second sponsor’s exemption to the event. She earned the spot as a true freshman in 2016 shooting 7369=142. Fassi carded a 68 in last year’s Monday qualifier finishing third overall. Benton also played in the Monday qualifier last season. Uriell was part of Monday’s qualifying round in
2016 and advanced to the weekend. She earned the sponsor’s exemption for the Razorbacks last year.
Fassi will join Lewis and Lopez in the field of 144 to compete in the 12th annual #NWAChampionship. Official tournament play will begin on June 22 at Pinnacle Country Club.
Fassi, Kim and Uriell’s summer will continue as members of the inaugural Palmer Cup teams. It is the first year for women to be included at the event, which takes place at the Evian Resort Golf Club in France, July 6-8.
The leading United States college players will compete against the leading college players from the rest of the world in continental Europe. The teams are made up of 12 men and 12 women and are selected according to nationality.