Melbourne’s Su Oh has qualified for the US Women’s Open after a gruelling 13-hour marathon.
Oh, 19 last week, advanced after 36 holes – and a weather delay that nearly cost her dearly – with a one-under-par 143 total at the Governors Club in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Oh advanced alongside American Lauren Doughtie to advance to the Open at Lancaster Country Club in nearby Pennsylvania from July 9-12.
The Golf Australia’s rookie squad member had been outright leader at three under after 15 holes in her second round when bad weather closed in.
The Australian Ladies Masters champ, in her first year as a professional, returned after the 40-minute lightning delay and made bogeys on 16 and 17, dropping her into a tie for the lead with Doughtie.
“Heading back out on to the course I felt loose and ready, but I made some mental mistakes,” Oh said.
“I bogeyed the first two holes and I just kept telling myself I had to at least make par on the last hole.”
That par turned out to be critical with four other players tied at even par all left to clamber for two alternate spots in the Open field.
“Woo! Qualified for the US Open!!! #cannotwait.” Oh later tweeted.
Oh, for so long linked with good friend and fellow prodigy Minjee Lee, ironically succeeded the same way as the Perth star did in winning her maiden LPGA event two weeks ago.
Lee had been on track for a comfortable win until bad weather conspired to leave her three holes to complete in Virginia before she had to come back the following day to complete her round.
Lee also bogeyed the 16th hole on resumption before steadying with two clutch pars for a two-stroke victory at the Kingsmill Championship.
By: Mark Hayes (Golf Australia)