Catherine Park (USGA Photo)
After 54 holes of the 79th United States Women’s Open Golf Championship,
Catherine Park is leading the battle for low amateur honors. The 20-year-old Irvine, California native shot a 2-over par 72 on Saturday at Lancaster Country Club to finish 54 holes at 4-over par 214.
Newly crowned NCAA champion Adela Cernousek of France is Park’s closet pursuer in the low-amateur race. She birdied two of the first three holes and fired a 1-under par 69 Saturday, making her one of 13 players in the field of 75 to record a sub-par round. She stands at 7-over par 217 for 54 holes.
U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Megan Schofill of Monticello, Fla., finished with a 7-over 77 on Saturday and stands at 8-over par 218 through 54 holes, while Asterisk Talley of Chowchilla, Calif., is at 219 after a 78.
Park is currently ranked No. 15 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com Women's Rankings and won the 2024 Pac-12 women's championship. Schofill is ranked No. 6.
Park, who is playing in her second Women’s Open, began her round with nine consecutive pars. Her inward nine included bogeys at the 10th and 16th, both par fours.
The winds diminished on Saturday compared to the first two days, but the greens were as demanding as ever.
“For sure the greens got firmer,” Park said. “Other than the firmness, nothing has changed. Always sloping; that doesn't change.”
Teeing off early afternoon with greens firming up under a bright sun, Park altered her approach with her irons.
“I guess in the morning, sometimes it's just a bit softer. Other than that, it's just trying to land it ten yards short and trying to run it up or do something with my cut.
Just land it soft and hopefully have a 30-footer or 20-footer that's within ten feet. I think that's a bit of pressing, but other than that, having a 25- or 30-footer on this golf course is still a great chance for making birdie.”
As she prepares for the final round, Park is focusing on the importance of patience.
This course tests every single golf skill,” she said. “Patience, mental game, like I said, short game, driving skills, everything has to be on point, committed to the target, and just bad shot, take it away, just on to the new one.”
With an eye on a future on professional golf, Park sees the Women’s Open as a learning experience.
“Just the experience, like what I need to work on more now. Coming here for sure, like a short game, is so important. Putting, chipping skills, getting up and down, so important.
“I guess in college do you learn that, but I'm always just trying to hit the ball straight. I can't do that. I'm not a robot. So, always working on that short game and getting better with the up and downs for sure. And learning how to make shots. Not only have one in the bag, but be creative sometimes, especially with these conditions. It's the U.S. Open so you have to get creative.”
ABOUT THE U.S. Women's Open
The U.S. Women's Open is the biggest tournament in
women's golf and one of 14 national
championships conducted by the USGA. The
event is open to any female who has a USGA
Handicap Index not exceeding 4.4.
View Complete Tournament Information