Long Journey to Pinehurst Aided by International Qualifying
Narangyi Bae, who was the medalist at 2014 U.S. Women's Open International Sectional Qualifying in Korea, is playing in her first major championship. (USGA/Michael Cohen)
By Hunki Yun, USGA
VILLAGE OF PINEHURST, N.C. – Walking off the 18th green following her practice round, Narangyi Bae rooted through her golf bag and pulled out two small packages, each containing a colorful clutch purse. The 14-year-old amateur from Korea gave them as gifts to the members of her group, Brittany Lincicome and Anna Nordqvist. She then posed for a picture with the multiple LPGA tournament winners before calling her parents over for a group shot.
Any trip around Pinehurst Resort & Country Club’s historic Course No. 2 is a memorable one. But Bae’s round with two of her idols was one of the highlights of her life.
And it was made possible by the addition of international sites to U.S. Women’s Open Sectional Qualifying.
Bae was the medalist at the 36-hole qualifier held at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club in Chungnam, Korea, on May 19. There were three other international qualifiers on that day – in China, Japan and England – and 17 players earned spots in the field of the 69th U.S. Women’s Open.
These international players have added to the quality of the field at Pinehurst.
“Of the 24 qualifying sites, both domestically and internationally, all four of the international sites were in the top 10 as far as strength of field,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA senior managing director of Rules, Competitions and Equipment Standards. “And the top two were London and Japan. So we were really pleased by that.
“It really enhanced our effort to conduct exemplary championships; you can’t have exemplary championships without the best players in the world, and we took a big step this year to achieve that.”
After announcing the expansion of U.S. Women’s Open qualifying on March 4, the USGA worked closely with the China Golf Association, Japan Golf Association, Korea Golf Association and the Ladies European Tour (LET) to conduct the qualifiers on short notice.
“They were able to pull this off in way too short a time, and they did this without a glitch,” said Dan Burton, USGA vice president and chairman of the Championship Committee. “This has strongly enhanced our relationship with these organizations.”
All 17 players who qualified from the international sites are making their Open debuts, and many entered primarily because they could try to qualify without flying to the U.S.
“It was something that I always hoped that I would play in,” said Scotland’s Kelsey MacDonald, a rookie on the LET. “But I didn’t think it would be so soon. I thought it would be several years into my career, after playing on the European Tour and in the [Women’s] British Open. But the qualifier was in London, so it was perfect.”
Lala Anai of Japan had entered previously, flying to the U.S. for her qualifier, from which she failed to advance. Anai, 26, is also familiar with USGA championships. As a teenager, she lived in Massachusetts, where her father was transferred to work, and she competed in the 2003 U.S. Girls’ Junior, qualifying for match play.
“I enjoy watching the U.S. Women’s Open, so it is a thrill to be here,” said Anai. “It was much easier to qualify in Japan.”
For many qualifiers, especially those from Asia, Pinehurst No. 2’s firm, fast conditions and undulating putting surfaces offer challenges they don’t typically encounter at home.
“The greens are so difficult,” said Korea’s So-Young Jang, who, like Bae, is making her first trip to the U.S. “You hit shots and they don’t stay on the green.”
Besides acclimating to the golf course, the Koreans also are adjusting to visiting another country, where food can be a concern. Jang, 22, likes Western food, but Bae and her family brought provisions from Korea so she could enjoy the tastes of home.
Others are more familiar with both the U.S. and the style of golf they will need to play at Pinehurst.
“I have played some Orange Blossom amateur tournaments in Florida.” said MacDonald, 23. “This course is tough, but it has a Scottish feel, so I feel comfortable.”
Fittingly, the 2005 U.S. Open was the first year for international qualifying for the championship. That year, Michael Campbell qualified out of England before winning Pinehurst’s second U.S. Open.
This first class of international U.S. Women’s qualifiers will hope to match the standard set by Campbell.
Hunki Yun is the USGA’s director of strategic projects. Email him at hyun@usga.org.
