Ganne Co-Leads U.S. Women’s Open; Alex in Top-10
PHOTO CREDITS: USGA/Kathryn Riley
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – A remarkable 4-under 67 propelled 17-year-old amateur Megha Ganne of Holmdel to co-lead the U.S. Women’s Open following 18 holes at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif.
Her 67 ties the second-lowest 18-hole score from an amateur at the U.S. Women’s Open. She's also the first amateur to lead or co-lead after any U.S. Women's Open round since 2006.
Ganne, of Holmdel carded six birdies and just two bogeys on the 6,362-yard course. She is the third-youngest player in the field of 156 and is leading all amateurs by four strokes.
“I think just my ability to play smart and not take any unnecessary risks, and I didn't panic when I got into the rough a couple of times out there. There are definitely holes I wasn't keeping it in the fairway, and it's easy to panic out there, and I didn't do that,” Ganne explained following her round.
Calm and cool, Ganne credited her maturity for her successful opening round.
“I think just knowing that everyone in the field has to deal with it, and whoever makes the smartest choices out of there and picks the best lines and doesn't take unnecessary risks is going to be the person who ends up better off,” said Ganne. “So I was like, just be that person.”
Ganne will tee off at 10:11 a.m. ET on Friday, June 4.
Competing in her seventh U.S. Open, Marina Alex of Wayne fired a 1-under 71 on Thursday. She currently sits in a tie for 9th following her round which was highlighted by four birdies.
“It's just so hard,” explained Alex to media following her opening round. “I think that it (The Olympic Club) just requires you to hit really good golf shots. There are no bail-outs on this golf course, and a lot of times major championships is about course management and strategy and looking for where you can miss the ball and where you can get up and down to save par.”
Alex will tee off at 4:36 p.m. ET on Friday.
Following Friday’s round, the field will be cut to the low 60 scorers and ties.
