Two Symetra Tour Players Earn U.S. Open Berths At Canoe Brook
A pair of Symetra Tour players shot two-under-par 142s and gained entry into the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open at Tuesday’s (May 24) U.S. Women’s Open qualifier, conducted by the NJSGA, at the 6,500-yard Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit.
A field of 78 competed for two qualifying spots and two alternate spots spot in the U.S. Women’s Open , July 4-10, at CordeValle in San Martin, Calif.
Pei-Yun Chien of Taiwan currently ranks No. 10 on the Symetra Tour (top 10 at the end of the year gain full-time status on the LPGA Tour). Her six-under-par 66 in the afternoon session after a 76 in the morning session, earned her a berth.
Popov, who played last year on the LPGA Tour but lost a month to a stomach ailment, was steady with a pair of 71s, although she birdied three of her final six holes to gain the second qualifying spot.
Alternate spots went to pro Jenny Coleman of Rolling Hills Estate, Calif. (72-71-143) and amateur Aurora Kan of Boothwyn, Pa., a former Purdue University golfer.
“This will be the first major for me,” said Chien, who was the leading Taiwan pro the previous two years. “I couldn’t get the speed of the greens down because of the English I put on my shots. I three-putted my first two holes.”
Chien, who is a long hitter, said her accuracy has improved thanks to instructor Chris Mason, who she is working with in San Diego. She has the same sponsor as fellow Taiwanese golfer Yani Tseng, the Taishin Bank.
“Qualifying for the U.S. Open is very important to me,” she said.
Popov is a native of Germany who holds dual citizenships. Her father is a Germany national and her mother, Claudia, is an American from Boston. Popov is an alternate for the German Olympic team.
She had an outstanding collegiate career at USC, earning National Freshman of the Year in 2011 and was part of USC’s national championship team in 2013 that included New Jersey’s Karen Chung and Long Island’s Annie Park, the National Player of the Year.
The 23-year-old finally had a breakthrough onto the LPGA Tour in 2015 but lost 20 pounds when she spent a month in the hospital due to a dietary problem.
“I’m about 90 percent back to where I was. My drives are pretty long, which makes it easier for me. My shots to the green are pretty good so a long course like this suits me. Most of my problems are around the greens. I’m not confident with my wedge game, but it is getting there.
“I was nervous on the last hole. I knew I needed a par there,” said Popov, who boasts three sponsors n Allianz insurance, Puma, and Cobra.
