In just a little over a month, Minnesota's Interlachen Country Club will set the stage for the USGA's Women's Open Championship.  Sixty exempt players have already made the field of 156 and local qualifying has already happened this past week...sectional qualifying will be on Monday, June 9 in locations across the country.

I realize that for some, interest in women's golf begins and ends with Michelle Wie's legs, but for me, I'm very excited that not only do we get to have a tournament in MN, but it's a Major!  (we'll also be fortunate to host the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine)  And I'm sure going to golf tournaments isn't on everyone's To Do list, but I've just secured my vacation time and plan to watch some awesome golf at a great golf course.  Let's hope we have a great week of weather - June can be a rainy month here!

I've been reading up on the Open and see that there were over 1,200 women who registered to qualify for the tournament and as of right now less than 100 spots will be available - and as more tour players qualify through exemptions, there will be less spots for the sectional qualifiers.  I'm excited to see that 7 women from Minnesota have made it out of the local qualifying to sectional qualifying on June 9 - it would be great to see some in the field!  Hillary Lunke, the 2003 Open champion, grew up in Minnesota and played some high school golf at Interlachen CC (designed by Donald Ross) and will be playing in the tournament.

And for you Michelle Wie fans, she'll be at sectional qualifying on the 9th in Rockville, Maryland (along with several other LPGA pros) - if she doesn't qualify for exempt status before then.

Here's a good article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune about plans for Interlachen during the Open.

One month and counting - Yippee!

Ah yes, Edina in June ... an excellent choice ...

Let's briefly review the LPGA in 2008 ... 13 events ... 5 winners ... not exactly in line with Sam's blog this week, is it? ... so I guess the only fair way for us to set up our picks will be to exclude Lorena (6 wins), Annika (3), and Paula(2) from everyone's list?

I'm currently not scheduled to be playing in a tournament that weekend, so I'll certainly be watching!  Hey Chip, how about wearing one of those rainbow wings or something so we can spot you in HD?

Hey 2putt!

The first part of the LPGA season has been an interesting one - and you make a good point about omitting the top 3 winners...it does make it a little more fun to watch and cheer.  We'll have to make picks for the Open once the field is set.  I haven't been to many tournaments, and maybe all courses are more alike than I think, but after seeing part of Interlachen, it seems like it's going to be a test.  The mature over-hanging trees, the tight fairways, and risk reward set ups I've read about should make for some interesting watching.  And while I think driving accuracy is going to be key on this course, it looks to me like putting is going to determine the winner.  I read in the Minneapolis paper Christie Kerr saying that par is a good score on a US Open course.

I posted some photos (I think) of Hilary Lunke doing a clinic recently - she was terrific - it was especially helpful for me to see her grip and set up.  She is one of the shorter drivers on tour (avg. around 230), but she made some clutch putts to win at Pumpkin Ridge in 2003.

I'll have to scope out some good spots on the course and I'll let you know where to look for me - rainbow wigs aren't really my thing. 

Here is a great article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune about the 2003 US Women's Open champion Hilary Lunke - http://www.startribune.com/sports/golf/19416254.html

After seeing her a few weeks ago I'm excited for her to be back in MN to play - she hasn't been playing a lot and I think even she will admit that she's not exactly a contender, but I know she will have a lot of people rooting for her that week.  It was funny, when we all watched the taped final playoff hole from her 2003 victory everyone clapped when the putt went in - like it was a surprise. 

 There are 83 spots left for the Open and the sectional events are next Monday - we'll see who gets in!  If you want to see who is already in the field you can click here

Only 19 days until my vacation!!

Well, the field is just about set for the women's open...I'm excited to see Michelle Wie will be there.  And my favorite, Meg Mallon.  And even a couple women from Minnesota!  You can see the field here: http://www.2008uswomensopen.com/players-exempt.php

I don't know how much rain has hit the Twin Cities, but I hope it's not like what we've been getting so the course is great shape.

Well, it's my last day of work for the week - then it's two days of golfing before I head down to Minneapolis/St. Paul for seven days of the US Women's Open!  I am really looking forward to this opportunity!  Watching the amazing LPGA professionals play at this fabulous course will be fantastic, and I'm also going to get the chance to meet up with family and friends, hopefully get out and golf a few times in the area, and make use of my Google Maps that show every Golf Galaxy, Golfsmith and shopping mall in the area!!  I have given myself a daily shopping alllowance, and a special allowance for the merchandise tent. I think my credit card is worried, though.

I think they are also streaming Annika's first round on USGA.org next week, too.

The TV schedule for the Open is:  Thur. 6/26 - ESPN 12-4pm, Fri 6/27 ESPN 3-7pm, Sat.-Sun. NBC 3-6pm.  Look for me on TV!!  I'll be the one wearing...ah, just pick out some cute girl and pretend it's me!

I'm on day 2 of the US Women's Open and so far it's been terrific!  Got in Monday afternoon about 1pm and headed to the course - the weather was great and wandered around to catch a glimse of some of the practice rounds.  Watched Michelle Wie on the driving range for awhile, and then caught her out on the course later.  Also saw my favorite player, Meg Mallon, along with many other players.  Annika was on the putting green when I got here, but never saw her on the course.  I see she is on the practice schedule for tomorrow.  Hopefully I'll get some pics of her in action.  I uploaded a few here, too.  A couple for the Wie fans.

This morning the group of Natalie Gulbis, Morgan Pressel, Christie Kerr, and Kelli Kuehne was very popular.  Kelli was very friendly and talkative to the gallery - that was cool.  These girls can hit the ball!!

I think it's going to be a great week!

AWESOME PICTURES IN THE GALLERY!!

Another fantastic day at the Open - sunny and hot (we're not used to this in MN!!) - lots of spectators.  I think this is going to be a very insteresting Open...there are 5 par 5s' and at least 2 of them will be reachable.  There is also going to be one par 4 that is going to play less than 250 yards one day, but it's a tight dog-leg, so definitely a risk-reward.  I saw Andy North, Judy Rankin and Dottie Pepper scouting out the course today. 

There are 28 amateurs playing this week...  Most popular last name playing - Kim (8), Lee (7)  ... 23 countries are represented here.

Posted a few more pics in the gallery - Michelle Wie practiced by herself today.

I'm rooting for Annika - she is just too cool.

Let's hope the great weather holds!

Just a quick check-in before I go back out and find Annika on the front nine.  Watched some great golf today - the crowds are really here today and you can feel the formality of the first round versus the practice rounds.  I saw a few holes with Lorna, Kerr and the amateur Uribe - lots of people following.  On the 11th hole Uribe made a great birdie putt that put her -3 ...she bogeyed 17 and then birdied 18 (she reached the par 5 in 2).  There is one 67 so far (par is 73 here).  Watching Annika, Paula Creamer and Suzann Pettersson was terrific - Annika made a great birdie on 16, but then went bogey-bogey on 17 & 18 to go even on the back (she started on 10).

It's been fun seeing all the press around, and I've even seen some friends here!

So far all great weather...woo hoo!!  Back to the course...

The course is looking pretty good. I hope Ochoa gets into the competition. She's 6 back right now, but it's still early. The Big Weezy is +8 and t-146. Not so good for her

 Keep the updates coming ChipShot!!!

Good Morning!!  Well, the weather doesn't look too promising today, so I need to get out early and catch some good golf.  Annika is out early today as is leader Pat Hurst - although I see she just doubled the first hole - ouch!  Couple interesting tidbits - 10 of the 27 amateurs had par or better the first day -not bad!!  Michelle Wie had one bad hole (see the gallery for a view of her hole by hole score) - she was out putting late into the afternoon.  The two women from Minnesota aren't doing too bad!  Hilary Lunke shot a +1 (74) yesterday and Martha Nause (who qualified) shot 78.  Keep your fingers crossed that the rain holds off for awhile anyway.  You can watch live online this afternoon the Ochoa, Kerr and Uribe group on www.uswomensopen.com.  And live coverage should also be on ESPN.  Enjoy some great golf on TV today!!

Ah, another fun day at the Open!  We did get a little rain this morning, but the sun is out again and it's hot!  I did get out early and watch some of Annika, Paula Creamer, and Suzann Pettersson - man, they are good!  Annika turned in a great -3 (70) round - 2 bogeys and 5 birdies.  The crowds have been so supportive of her, and all of the golfers.   Big crowds following Lorena, Uribe, and Kerr, too - I watched them on 10 - Kerr birdied, Ochoa parred and Uribe bogeyed.  I couple groups behind was Natalie Gulbis, so of course there was a crowd.  Then a couple groups behind her was Michelle Wie - she hit her drive in the bunker but ended up making par...so far she's -1 for the day.  I saw her Mom and Dad watching from the gallery.  I just have to say that I am so impressed with all of these great women golfers!  And I know everyone focuses on a few of them, but good Lord, there are a TON of cute and talented golfers on the LPGA - I hope you will all watch some on TV this weekend!!  I won't tell you guys that I got Johnny Miller's autograph for my Mom.    Sounds like more rain is coming, but hopefully it will be tonight!  It's been a GREAT week so far!

Sounds like you're having a blast as you should be. I'm jealous

Good Sunday morning!!  Well, it's the final day at the US Open and what an awesome time it's been.  A few weather hiccups along the way were the only downsides to the week...well, and the fact that my credit card has seen some serious action in the Merchandise tent.  Yesterday started with a downpour early and then another weather delay just after a few groups went out.  But the storm passed relatively quickly and then it was time to watch some golf!  My plan for Saturday was to get a good seat and plant myself for the day - 18 grandstand was great because you could see 15 green from behind, 9 green from your left and 10 tee box beyond 18 green.  18 was also a great hole because it was a par 5 reachable in 2 for some players.  Although after the rain, the wind was pretty strong and not really helping.  There were no eagles yesterday, and there have only been 2 on 18 for the week so far.  The pin was in the back, and those that had small chips for their 3rd shot had a hard time getting it close because the ball seemed to run away on all sides.  We saw so many missed putts there...but there were a few long birdies made that got great cheers from the crowd.

Annika's chip-in on #9 was the biggest cheer of the day - I could see her hitting the ball and the crowd was so quiet - she of course hit the ball past the hole and used the slope to have it come back down so it took awhile for it to release back and head in the hole - the crowd went nuts and I could see Annika jump when it went in.  But man, she left SO many putts out on the course!!!  I really think this was her tournament to win.

But you've got to give it up for the great play of Stacy Lewis, Paula Creamer, In-bee Park and Helen Affredsson - a bogey free round for Lewis on Saturday - WOW!  We'll see if she can hang on.  Paula Creamer has been putting well and giving herself some good shots at birdie - will this be her time to get a Major??  And I can't help but root for Helen Alfredsson - three solid rounds - 70-71-71 (par 73) - maybe this consistency will be what it takes to move into the lead.

Minnesota favorite Michelle Redman had a rough day Saturday - +7 for the day and that included a 2 stroke penalty.  She's out early this morning, so I think I'll go find her and cheer her on!  Oh and kudos to Sophie Gustafson who wore Minnesota Twins logos on her apparel!! 

I'm still going to root for Annika - being 7 back is going to be tough, but like she said in an interview yesterday, maybe she's saving all her putts for today!

The weather looks great today - it's breezy early, so wind could be a factor.  I can't wait to see what happens!!  Hope you're all getting to watch some great golf on TV - I'll try to post a few more pics soon.  It's been a total blast - the week has gone by so fast...amazing players, a fantastic golf course, great fans, terrific volunteers, and golf at it's finest - I couldn't have asked for a better week!