Garcia books US Open berth
Ladies European Tour rookie Nicole Garcia from Ekurhuleni and former SA Women’s Open champion Rebecca Hudson, will line up alongside South Africa’s number one, Lee-Anne Pace, in the 2014 US Women’s Open Championship in the US next month.
The South African and the Englishwomen were among the eight players who successfully negotiated the Sectional Qualifier Europe on Monday to earn their spots in the 2014 season’s second Major championship at Pinehurst Number Two from June 19 to 22.
The 69th edition of the US Women’s Open drew a record number of 1 702 entries worldwide, but with only 80 entrants exempt for the Major, the USGA added four international sectional qualifiers in Asia and England, offering 17 spots into the championship.
Garcia was one of 73 hopefuls at Buckinghamshire Golf Club just outside London on Monday that vied for eight spots on offer.
The 23-year-old Ekurhuleni golfer offset two bogeys with three birdies for an opening one-under-par 71 and erased three bogeys, with three birdies for a second round 72 to tie for second with Kelsey MacDonald from Scotland on one-under-par 143.
The pair finished a stroke off the pace from medalist Amy Boulden from Wales, who carded two 71s.
The Ekurhuleni golfer is thrilled at the prospect of her first trip to the US Open.
“This is my first year on tour, so truthfully, I didn’t expect to make it,” the 23-year-old golfer from Ebotse Golf Estate gushed.
“I was fine through the first 18 holes, but I was incredibly nervous teeing it up in the second round. I somehow managed to hold it together and I played the last couple of holes really well to tie for second.
“It’s quite exciting, but I don’t think it has complete sunk in yet. I’ve been so nervous every time I tee it up in the Ladies European Tour events, so I expect to be very nervous when I go the US.
“I’m going with no expectations and hopefully that works for me and I play well enough to make it to the weekend.”
Garcia rose to third in the South African amateur rankings last year before she turned pro at the Ladies European Tour’s Qualifying School, where she just missed her card by two shots.
She did earn a provisional card that allows her a number of starts on the LET this season, and a chance to gain her full card.
Garcia performed exceptionally well in her rookie season on the Sunshine Ladies Tour, reeling in five top five finishes, including a runner-up spot in the Chase to the Investec Cup for Ladies Houghton to finish the season ranked fifth on the final Order of Merit.
