Former University of Oregon standout Kathleen Scavo, former NCGA Women’s Player of the Year Lucy Li and Canadian Kelly Tan all punched their tickets to the upcoming U.S. Women’s Open after advancing through a 36-hole Sectional qualifier held Monday on the par-71 Ocean Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links.
Now a member of the Symetra Tour, Scavo was medalist with a score of 1-over 143 after rounds of 71-72. A former two-time winner of the California Junior Girls’ State Championship, Scavo posted six birdies on the day.
Li, who also made her rookie debut on the Symetra Tour in 2020, moved on with a third-place score of 3-over 145 (73-72). Still only 18, in 2014 Li became the youngest (age 11) to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open, surpassing a mark that had been set by Lexi Thompson at the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open.
Tan, a native of Malaysia and an LPGA Tour veteran, finished second at 144 after back-to-back rounds of 72.
NCGA Hall of Famer and NorCal native Juli Inkster (below and video), who was hoping to play in a U.S. Women’s Open practically in what she considers her own backyard, finished T-20 at 156 after rounds of 77-79. This year’s U.S. Women’s Open will tee off June 3-6 at The Olympic Club.
Meanwhile, up at The Olympic Club, among those on hand for Media Day was 2014 champion Michelle Wie West, who pointed to her victory as a key to her career.
"Winning was a key. 100 percent one week changed my life. And that's what the U.S. Women's U.S. Open does. It creates opportunities for us to create life-changing moments," Wie West said. "It's not just one tournament. It's a major that we look forward to, watching it when we were kids and playing on venues like we do. That win in 2014, that elevated visibility for our Tour so much, and us being able to play on these top venues, it means so much to our Tour. It's life-changing."