Judith Kyrinis soaking in Shinnecock Hills Experience
Judith Kyrinis will tee it up in the Celebration of Champions (Golfweek/USGA photos)
SOUTHAMPTON, NY (June 12, 2018) - On Monday at the U.S. Open
Judith Kyrinis looked like she was just another golf fan. There she should stood outside the ropes between the 14th green and the 15th tee box at Shinnecock Hills flag and pen in hand seeking an autograph from Alexander Noren as he made his way through his practice round.
Fast forward roughly 24-hours and Kyrinis will be far from just another golf fan, she will be one of 12 2017 USGA champions playing in the inaugural Celebration of Champions.
"It's something, [playing the course 36-hours before the tournament starts] that not many people have the opportunity to do so I am very thankful to do this for sure," said the the 2017 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur.
Related: U.S. Senior Women's Am: Kyrinis Wins All-Canada Final
Kyrinis, from Canada, made the trip to Long Island with her brother Dan who will be on the bag for the four-hole alternate shot event Tuesday evening. Carrying the bag is a reward for Dan after he flew in for the final two matches of Kyrinis' championship run last September.
"I have a nice little yardage for me," Kyrinis said of the Shinnecock Hills layout for the event. "So I am pretty happy about because it is pretty intimidating with some of those yardages out there."
Kyrinis will be playing alongside 2017 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion
Matt Parziale, with the duo beginning on the 12th hole. They will tee off at 4:47 p.m. and in addition to the 12th play Nos. 13, 10 and 11.
"It has been an absolute thrill," said Kyrinis. "I walked through the door [earlier] and I almost run into Rory McIlroy so that was pretty fun. The access we have, everything that the USGA has done has been first rate and I am just thrilled to be here."
USGA Celebration of Champions
4:45 p.m. (hole #10) – Alice Chen/Kenny Perry; Noah Goodwin/Sean Knapp
4:47 p.m. (hole #12) – Frankie Capan/Taylor Totland; Judith Kyrinis/Matt Parziale
4:45 p.m. (hole #13) – Kelsey Chugg/Doc Redman; Sophia Schubert/Ben Wong
ABOUT THE
U.S. Open Golf Championship
The U.S. Open is the biggest of the 15 national
championships conducted by the USGA.
Open
to amateurs and professionals. Amateurs gain
entry via USGA win or runner-up finishes while having the opportunity
to qualify alongside non-exempt professionals in an 18-hole "Local' qualifying followed
by 36-hole "Final" qualifying which is affectionately known as golf's longest day.
Highly-ranked amateurs will be exempted past the 18-hole Local Qualifying. See the
USGA website for details. And if you are exempt on any level be sure to apply by the deadline anyway.
The USGA intends to make the U.S. Open
the
most rigorous, yet fair, examination of golf
skills, testing all forms of shot-making. The
USGA prepares the course after careful
consideration of 14 different factors.
View Complete Tournament Information