Danielle Kang Earns Medalist Honors At 2009 U.S. Women's Amateur

St. Louis – Danielle Kang, 16, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., rolled in a 30-foot par putt at the 18th hole Tuesday to secure stroke-play medalist honors by one shot at the 109th U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship being conducted at Old Warson Country Club.

Kang’s putt capped off a 3-under-par round of 68 for a 36-hole total of 4-under 138 on the 6,422-yard, par-71 layout. The Westlake High senior-to-be edged Marina Alex, 19, of Wayne, N.J., and 16-year-old Jessica Korda of Bradenton, Fla., both of whom finished at 3-under 139.

Korda’s 4-under-par 67 tied for the lowest round of the championship with 17-year-old Sun Gyoung Park of Vail, Ariz., who finished fourth at 140. Park’s 67 also came on Tuesday.

Sun Gyoung Park was one of two players to card a 4-under-par 67 on Tuesday. (USGA Museum)

First-round leader Amy Anderson, 17, of Oxbow, N.D., had a 75 and finished at 1-over 143. The newly minted U.S. Girls’ Junior champion was bidding to become just the third player in USGA history to earn medalist honors in the Girls’ Junior and Women’s Amateur in the same year. The incoming North Dakota State freshman still has a chance to become the first player to win both titles in the same year.

The match-play cut came at 9-over 151, with six golfers playing off for the final match-play spot. Amelia Lewis, 18, of Jacksonville, Fla., was the playoff survivor.

Sixty-four contestants begin match play on Wednesday, starting at 9:30 a.m. CDT. Match play continues the rest of the week until Sunday’s 36-hole final.

Other notables to make match play included 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Kimberly Kim, 17, of Hilo, Hawaii, 2008 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion Alexis Thompson, 14, of Coral Springs, Fla., 2009 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links champion Jennifer Song, 19, of Ann Arbor, Mich., and 2006 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion Jenny Shin, 16, of Torrance, Calif., who had a hole-in-one at the par-3 13th hole.

While the day began with threatening, overcast skies, the projected thunderstorms stayed north of the area and never affected play. By the afternoon, the sun came out and the winds died down.

It showed in the scoring, as five of the six sub-par rounds posted in the afternoon were in the 60s. Only three players in the morning wave broke par and none shot in the 60s.

Kang, competing in her second Women’s Amateur and sixth USGA championship, registered seven birdies and four bogeys. The round included three consecutive birdies from No. 12.

“I’m excited,” said Kang about being medalist. “My dad was like, ‘Let’s get medalist today.’ I wanted to accomplish something for making match play.”

Kang credited her father, K.S., for the success on the greens. Two weeks ago at the Girls’ Junior, where parents are forbidden to caddie by USGA rules, she struggled and lost in the second round.

“He’s an amazing green reader,” said Kang, who has verbally committed to attend Pepperdine University in the fall of 2010. “If he reads my putts, all my lines are perfect.”

Korda also has her father, Petr, back on her bag this week and says she feels much more comfortable. The 1998 Australian Open tennis champion caddied for his daughter at last month’s U.S. Women’s Open at Saucon Valley Country Club and she not only made the cut, but shot a final-round 69.

After a 1-over 72 on Monday, Korda’s putting got back on track with six birdies against two bogeys. But for the second consecutive USGA event, she finished second in qualifying. She also was a shot off medalist honors at the Girls’ Junior two weeks ago at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J., where she suffered a third-round, 19-hole defeat to eventual runner-up Kim.

“Again, déjà vu,” said Korda. “Whatever, it was a good round. It was pretty much solid golf today.”

Alex, a sophomore-to-be at Vanderbilt University, just turned 19 on Sunday and was hoping to give herself a belated birthday present by earning medalist honors. But a missed 6-footer for par at No. 18 left Alex a shot behind Kang. It was one of the few putts Alex missed the entire round.

“I’ve really rolled my rock well this week,” said Alex.

She opened the round by rolling in a 40-foot birdie putt and finished with four more. She nearly holed out her approach shot on the par-4 11th, saved par with a 25-footer at No. 12 and knocked her tee shot to 8 feet for another birdie at the par-3 13th. That was her last birdie of the day.

Alex said playing in last month’s U.S. Women’s Open was a major confidence boost, even though she failed to make the cut.

“It was the hardest test of golf that I have ever had to go through,” said Alex. “It’s not that everything seems easier, it’s just a little less pressure and a little less stress. And knowing that I am good enough to get myself to the Open, it fills you with confidence by just what goes on there.”

The U.S. Women’s Amateur is one of 13 national championships conducted annually by the USGA, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

Story written by USGA Digital Media staff writer David Shefter. E-mail him with questions or comments at dshefter@usga.org.

St. Louis – Results from the second round of stroke-play qualifying at the 2009 U.S. Women’s Amateur being conducted at the 6,422-yard, par-71 Old Warson Country Club:

Danielle Kang, Thousand Oaks, Calif., 70-68--138

Jessica Korda, Bradenton, Fla., 72-67--139

Marina Alex, Wayne, N.J., 70-69--139

Sun Gyoung Park, Vail, Ariz., 73-67--140

Lindy Duncan, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 73-68--141

Lizette Salas, Azusa, Calif., 70-72--142

Tiffany Lua, Rowland Heights, Calif., 72-70--142

Amy Anderson, Oxbow, N.D., 68-75--143

Ha Na Jang, Korea, 69-74--143

Kimberly Kim, Hilo, Hawaii, 69-74--143

Michelle Shin, Cape Coral, Fla., 73-70--143

Sara-Maude Juneau, Canada, 71-72--143

Victoria Tanco, Argentina, 73-70--143

Erynne Lee, Silverdale, Wash., 71-73--144

Mariko Tumangan, San Jose, Calif., 72-72--144

Alice Kim, Walnut, Calif., 71-74--145

Grace Na, Oakland, Calif., 71-74--145

Junthima Gulyanamitta, Thailand, 72-73--145

Whitney Neuhauser, Charlottesville, Va., 74-71--145

Caroline Masson, Germany, 71-75--146

Cheyenne Woods, Phoenix, Ariz., 74-72--146

Han Jungeun, Korea, 74-72--146

Jennifer Song, Ann Arbor, Mich., 75-71--146

Julia Boland, Australia, 71-75--146

Kristen Simpson, Norfolk, Va., 74-72--146

Nannette Hill, Pelham Manor, N.Y., 75-71--146

Stacey Keating, Australia, 74-72--146

Aimee Neff, Carmel, Ind., 74-73--147

Alexandra Stewart, Peoria, Ariz., 76-71--147

Calle Nielson, Nashville, Tenn., 72-75--147

Jennifer Johnson, La Quinta, Calif., 73-74--147

Mallory Fraiche, Metairie, La., 76-71--147

Sally Watson, Scotland, 74-73--147

Stephanie Kono, Honolulu, Hawaii, 76-71--147

Taylore Karle, Scottsdale, Ariz., 73-74--147

Brooke Beeler, Butler, Ill., 74-74--148

Candace Schepperle, Birmingham, Ala., 73-75--148

Cyna Marie Rodriguez, Philippines, 76-72--148

Emilie Burger, Hoschton, Ga., 73-75--148

Jodi Ewart, England, 73-75--148

Kate Ackerson, Allen, Texas, 76-72--148

Kelli Shean, South Africa, 74-74--148

Kendra Little, Eugene, Ore., 76-72--148

Kristen Park, Buena Park, Calif., 72-76--148

Megan McChrystal, Stuart, Fla., 72-76--148

Allie White, Lancaster, Ohio, 76-73--149

Ashleigh Albrecht, Murrieta, Calif., 73-76--149

Cassy Isagawa, Wailuku, Hawaii, 73-76--149

Esther Lee, Los Alamitos, Calif., 72-77--149

Leanne Bowditch, Australia, 77-72--149

Natalie Sheary, West Hartford, Conn., 77-72--149

Sydnee Michaels, Temecula, Calif., 75-74--149

Alexis Thompson, Coral Springs, Fla., 76-74--150

Cydney Clanton, Concord, N.C., 75-75--150

Dori Carter, Valdosta, Ga., 74-76--150

Evan Jensen, Belleair, Fla., 74-76--150

Jenny Shin, Torrance, Calif., 76-74--150

Lee Lopez, Whittier, Calif., 78-72--150

Maude-Aimee Leblanc, Canada, 75-75--150

Molly Aronsson, Shelburne, Vt., 75-75--150

Sara Grantham, Wilsonville, Ala., 75-75--150

Stephanie Meadow, Northern Ireland, 77-73--150

Stephanie Sherlock, Canada, 75-75--150

Amelia Lewis, Jacksonville, Fla., 76-75—151 (4,4)

Failed To Qualify

Kristina Wong, Vestal, N.Y., 74-77—151 (4,5)

Casie Cathrea, Livermore, Calif., 81-70—151 (5)

Corrine Carr, Pinehurst, N.C., 78-73—151 (6)

Kira Meixner, Canada, 78-73—151 (5)

Pei-Ying Tsai, Chinese Taipei, 79-72—151 (NS)

Ashley Bauer, Grand Blanc, Mich., 78-74--152

Jisoo Park, Beaumont, Calif., 72-80--152

Martina Gavier, Argentina, 77-75--152

Rachel Rohanna, Waynesburg, Pa., 77-75--152

Stefanie Kenoyer, Lighthouse Point, Fla., 80-72--152

Virginia Grimes, Meridian, Miss., 78-74--152

Abby Bools, Hickory, N.C., 75-78--153

Alison Lee, Valencia, Calif., 78-75--153

Allyson Ferguson, Houston, Texas, 78-75--153

Ani Gulugian, Irvine, Calif., 79-74--153

Brianna Do, Long Beach, Calif., 78-75--153

Catherine Elliott, Malvern, Pa., 77-76--153

Claire Sheldon, Milton, Mass., 78-75--153

Danielle Cvitanov, Sacramento, Calif., 78-75--153

Jaclyn Sweeney, Andover, Mass., 75-78--153

Kyle Roig, Puerto Rico, 78-75--153

Laura Coble, Augusta, Ga., 77-76--153

Rachel Larson, Longmont, Colo., 77-76--153

Yueer Feng, China, 74-79--153

Chelsea Stelzmiller, Placerville, Calif., 77-77--154

Dottie Ardina, Philippines, 76-78--154

Jennifer Hirano, Pinole, Calif., 79-75--154

Kaitlyn Rohrback, Crofton, Md., 78-76--154

Mandi Morrow, Kent, Ohio, 79-75--154

Meghan Stasi, Oakland Park, Fla., 74-80--154

Vanessa Vela, Colombia, 76-78--154

Breanne Smith, Canby, Ore., 79-76--155

Ellen Mueller, Bartlesville, Okla., 79-76--155

Kristin Paulson, Ottumwa, Iowa, 76-79--155

Kristin Vincent, Burlington, N.C., 76-79--155

Lauren Archer, Boise, Idaho, 79-76--155

Madison Pressel, Boca Raton, Fla., 78-77--155

Alexandria Buelow, Palm City, Fla., 79-77--156

Corinna Rees, Pebble Beach, Calif., 79-77--156

Daffodil Sanchez, Mesa, Ariz., 77-79--156

Kelsey Verbeten, New Franken, Wis., 79-77--156

Lauren Dobashi, Gold River, Calif., 80-76--156

Olivia Lansing, Dellwood, Minn., 80-76--156

Sarah Brown, Lopatcong Twp, N.J., 79-77--156

Shannon Fish, Spring, Texas, 80-76--156

Alexa Rancourt, South Portland, Maine, 80-77--157

Alexandra Gibson, Peru, 76-81--157

Brianna Espinoza, Phoenix, Ariz., 82-75--157

Chelsea Schriewer, St Charles, Mo., 82-75--157

Danielle Frasier, Encinitas, Calif., 78-79--157

Jessica Gerry, Madison, Wis., 77-80--157

Kylie Bollenbach, Edmond, Okla., 78-79--157

Paula Reto, South Africa, 80-77--157

Ri Hyang Park, Hilton Head Island, S.C., 79-78--157

Allyssa Ferrell, Edgerton, Wis., 81-77--158

Anna Leigh Keith, Moultrie, Ga., 83-75--158

Sarah Almond, Albemarle, N.C., 83-75--158

Stacy Kim, Yorba Linda, Calif., 79-79--158

Cara Freeman, Corvallis, Ore., 86-73--159

Heather Lemaster, Sacramento, Calif., 85-74--159

Kaitlin Drolson, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., 86-73--159

Catherine Dolan, Ballwin, Mo., 79-81--160

Haley Stephens, Greer, S.C., 82-78--160

Jill Hardy, Canada, 82-78--160

Laura Anderson, Tompkinsville, Ky., 80-80--160

Noreen Mohler, Bethlehem, Pa., 82-78--160

Samantha Troyanovich, Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich., 81-79--160

Bambee Dela Paz, Philippines, 77-84--161

Jackie Evans, Wayne, Pa., 83-78--161

Lauren Kim, Los Altos, Calif., 81-80--161

Nora Lucas, Glenview, Ill., 79-82--161

Casey Kennedy, Venice, Fla., 82-80--162

Chelsea Curtis, New Seabury, Mass., 85-77--162

Jennifer Hahn, Henderson, Nev., 81-81--162

Julia Thead, Poway, Calif., 81-81--162

Jordan Craig, Connellsville, Pa., 83-80--163

Kayla Stewart, Cookeville, Tenn., 79-84--163

Lyndsay McBride, Bristol, Ind., 82-82--164

Thuhashini Selvaratnam, Sri Lanka, 83-82--165

Stephanie Smith, The Woodlands, Texas, 80-86--166

Alison Cavanaugh, Littleton, Colo., 83-84--167

Anna Schultz, Rockwall, Texas, 84-83--167

Lynn Simmons, Phoenix, Ariz., 86-81--167

Taylor Weaver, Spartanburg, S.C., 90-77--167

Jennifer Park, Carrollton, Texas, 83-85--168

Erin Michel, Mason, Ohio, 80-89--169

Carly Truitt, Marysville, Ohio, 81-89--170

Lauren Varnas, Chatham, N.J., 80-92--172

Meghan Martinek, Tempe, Ariz., 91-81--172

Catherine Herrera, Houston, Texas, 91-83--174

Trisha Witherby, Richmond, Ind., 89-85--174

Diane Lang, Jamaica, 88-89—177

St. Louis – Pairings and starting times for the first round of match play on Wednesday at the 2009 U.S. Women’s Amateur being conducted at the 6,422-yard, par-71 Old Warson Country Club (All times CDT):

9:30 am                Danielle Kang, Thousand Oaks, Calif.  (138) vs. Amelia Lewis, Jacksonville, Fla.  (151)

9:40 am                Jennifer Johnson, La Quinta, Calif.  (147) vs. Calle Nielson, Nashville, Tenn.  (147)

9:50 am                Grace Na, Oakland, Calif.  (145) vs. Sydnee Michaels, Temecula, Calif.  (149)

10:00 am              Whitney Neuhauser, Charlottesville, Va.  (145) vs. Esther Lee, Los Alamitos, Calif.  (149)

10:10 am              Kimberly Kim, Hilo, Hawaii  (143) vs. Maude-Aimee Leblanc, Canada  (150)

10:20 am              Stacey Keating, Australia  (146) vs. Kristen Park, Buena Park, Calif.  (148)

10:30 am              Ha Na Jang, Korea  (143) vs. Molly Aronsson, Shelburne, Vt.  (150)

10:40 am              Cheyenne Woods, Phoenix, Ariz.  (146) vs. Candace Schepperle, Birmingham, Ala.  (148)

10:50 am              Sun Gyoung Park, Vail, Ariz.  (140) vs. Alexis Thompson, Coral Springs, Fla.  (150)

11:00 am              Mallory Fraiche, Metairie, La.  (147) vs. Jodi Ewart, England  (148)

11:10 am              Sara-Maude Juneau, Canada  (143) vs. Leanne Bowditch, Australia  (149)

11:20 am              Kristen Simpson, Norfolk, Va.  (146) vs. Cyna Marie Rodriguez, Philippines  (148)

11:30 am              Lindy Duncan, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  (141) vs. Lee Lopez, Whittier, Calif.  (150)

11:40 am              Taylore Karle, Scottsdale, Ariz.  (147) vs. Kendra Little, Eugene, Ore.  (148)

11:50 am              Victoria Tanco, Argentina  (143) vs. Dori Carter, Valdosta, Ga.  (150)

12:00 pm              Han Jungeun, Korea  (146) vs. Kate Ackerson, Allen, Texas  (148)

12:10 pm              Jessica Korda, Bradenton, Fla.  (139) vs. Sara Grantham, Wilsonville, Ala.  (150)

12:20 pm              Aimee Neff, Carmel, Ind.  (147) vs. Sally Watson, Scotland  (147)

12:30 pm              Erynne Lee, Silverdale, Wash.  (144) vs. Cassy Isagawa, Wailuku, Hawaii  (149)

12:40 pm              Alice Kim, Walnut, Calif.  (145) vs. Natalie Sheary, West Hartford, Conn.  (149)

12:50 pm              Tiffany Lua, Rowland Heights, Calif.  (142) vs. Jenny Shin, Torrance, Calif.  (150)

1:00 pm                Julia Boland, Australia  (146) vs. Brooke Beeler, Butler, Ill.  (148)

1:10 pm                Michelle Shin, Cape Coral, Fla.  (143) vs. Stephanie Meadow, Northern Ireland  (150)

1:20 pm                Caroline Masson, Germany  (146) vs. Kelli Shean, South Africa  (148)

1:30 pm                Marina Alex, Wayne, N.J.  (139) vs. Stephanie Sherlock, Canada  (150)

1:40 pm                Alexandra Stewart, Peoria, Ariz.  (147) vs. Stephanie Kono, Honolulu, Hawaii  (147)

1:50 pm                Mariko Tumangan, San Jose, Calif.  (144) vs. Ashleigh Albrecht, Murrieta, Calif.  (149)

2:00 pm                Junthima Gulyanamitta, Thailand  (145) vs. Allie White, Lancaster, Ohio  (149)

2:10 pm                Lizette Salas, Azusa, Calif.  (142) vs. Evan Jensen, Belleair, Fla.  (150)

2:20 pm                Jennifer Song, Ann Arbor, Mich.  (146) vs. Megan McChrystal, Stuart, Fla.  (148)

2:30 pm                Amy Anderson, Oxbow, N.D.  (143) vs. Cydney Clanton, Concord, N.C.  (150)

2:40 pm                Nannette Hill, Pelham Manor, N.Y.  (146) vs. Emilie Burger, Hoschton, Ga.  (148)