Five golfers with Arkansas roots tee off in US Women’s Open

SHOAL CREEK, Ala. — Five current and former Arkansas women’s golfers teed it up on Thursday in round one of the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open in Shoal Creek, Alabama.

Kaylee Benton came off the course with a 2-over 74. The Buckeye, Arizona, native had a colorful scorecard that included four birdies, four bogeys and one double.

#ProHog Stacy Lewis finished with a 3-over 75 in the first round. Lewis began her day on the back nine and opened quickly with birdies on Nos. 10 and 13 to get to 2-under.

The Woodlands, Texas, native doubled No. 14 and added three bogeys throughout the remainder of her round.

Razorback junior Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American Maria Fassi counted a 4-over 76 in her round. Her day included just one birdie and she had 13 par holes.

#ProHog Gabriela Lopez struggled on the back nine shooting 4-over on holes 10-18. She picked up two more bogeys on the front side and tallied her only birdie of the round on No 2.

Junior Dylan Kim was the last Razorback off the course playing in the afternoon session. Kim shot a 2-over 74 and is tied with Benton and several other players.

Kim opened her round with a birdie starting on No. 1. She picked up four bogeys but finished strong with a birdie on No. 14 followed by four consecutive par holes.

There is a three-way tie for the lead with players shooting a 5-under 67. Several players are still on the course and positions are not final.

Round 2 Tee Times
8:41 a.m. No. 10 Dylan Kim
12:42 p.m. No. 10 Gabriela Lopez
12:53 p.m. No. 10 Maria Fassi
1:15 p.m. No. 1 Stacy Lewis
2:32 p.m. No. 1 Kaylee Benton

Fassi also earned a sponsor’s exemption to the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G.

Benton, Kim and recently graduated senior Alana Uriell will all take part in the Monday qualifier on June 18, with weekend action beginning Friday, June 22.

Fassi, Kim and Uriell’s summer continues as members of the inaugural Palmer Cup teams. It is the first year for women to be included at the event which takes place at the Evian Resort Golf Club in France, July 6-8.

The leading United States college players will compete against the leading college players from the rest of the world in continental Europe.

The teams are made up of 12 men and 12 women and are selected according to nationality.