Women's Amateur Blog

Some quick stats from the afternoon round of the final match, which ended at the 17th hole and Kang prevailing by a 2-and-1 margin over Jessica Korda.

Korda was spectacular, hitting 14 of 14 fairways, 16 of 17 greens, but had 30 putts. The only green she missed, the par-4 16th, was costly. She made a bogey and went 1 down with two to play. Kang closed out the match with a birdie at the next hole. Korda was the equivalent of three under for the round, with two conceded birdies, and finished six under over the 35 holes. She was 20 under par for the six rounds of match play.

Kang hit 13 of 14 fairways, 13 of 17 greens and had just 28 putts. She was one under in the final round and five under for the match. She finished the week at four under par for the six rounds of match play.

Hole 35 - 119-yard par 3
Korda's 7-foot birdie putt lipped out. Kang converted a 4-footer to win the championship. Kang wins, 2 and 1.

Hole 34 - 418-yard par 4
Korda hit her approach shot into the left greenside bunker. She pitched out to 12 feet, but her par putt slid by the hole. Kang hit her approach to the lower ridge of the green, 40 feet below the hole. Her birdie try went four feet past the hole and she converted the following par putt to take the lead. Kang is 1 up.

Hole 33 - 358-yard par 4
For the third straight hole, both players reached the green in two strokes. Kang's birdie try from 15 feet missed left, and her ensuing downhill 2-footer for par was good. Korda's 12-foot birdie attempt also missed to the left, and her par putt was conceded. Match remains all square.

Hole 32 - 331-yard par 4
Both players again made the green in two. Korda missed a 25-foot birdie attempt. Kang made her 5 footer for par to square the match. Match is all square.

Hole 31 - 439-yard par 4
Both players made the green in two. Kang missed her 15-foot birdie try and Korda missed her 7-foot attempt. Both par putts were conceded. Korda remains 1 up.

Hole 30 - 574-yard par 5
Kang hit her third shot into a greenside bunker. Her fourth shot came to rest on the rough above another greenside bunker. Korda hit her third shot to within a foot of the hole, and her birdie putt was conceded for her first lead of the match. Korda leads 1 up.

Hole 29 - 207-yard par 3
Korda two-putted from 45 feet and made a 3-footer for par. Kang went just over the green and into the rough. She then chipped to 4 feet and converted her par putt. Match remains all square.

Hole 28 - 372-yard par 4
Kang hit her birdie putt from 30 feet. Korda answered from six feet to halve the hole. Match remains all square.

Hole 27 - 368-yard par 4
Korda squares the match by knocking her approach to 4 feet and holing the birdie putt. Kang hit her drive down the right side of the fairway and found a greenside bunker with her second. She blasted to 3 feet, but never had to putt. Match is all square.

Hole 26 - 412-yard par 4
The two players trade two-putt pars - Kang from 40 feet; Korda from 35 feet. Kang remains 1 up.

Hole 25 - 497-yard par 5
Kang gives one back after finding trouble off the tee. Her tee shot found the right rough and she punched out to a fairway bunker. Her bunker shot left her 90 feet short of the green, and she pitched her next shot 15 past the hole and missed the par putt. Korda was just short of the green in two and had a 7-footer for birdie that was conceded. Kang is now 1 up. 

Hole 24 - 383-yard par 4
Korda immediately gives back the hole she won with a three-putt from 40 feet, including a missed 3-footer for par. Kang two-putted from 45 feet to win the hole. Kang goes 2 up.

Hole 23 - 351-yard par 4
Korda missed her 6-foot birdie putt but was able to win the hole after a three-put from Kang, including a missed par attempt from 3 feet. Kang is now 1 up.

Hole 22 - 448-yard par 5
 Kang hit her approach shot into the left rough. She pitched to 10 feet and made her birdie putt. Korda hit her second shot to 7 feet but missed her eagle attempt. Hole is halved with birdies. Kang remains 2 up.

Hole 21 - 163-yard par 3
Both players hit the green with their tee shots - Korda to 16 feet; Kang to 12 feet. Both two-putted for par to halve the hole. Kang remains 2 up.

Hole 20 - 364-yard par 4
The players traded two-putt pars on No. 11 - Kang from 11 feet and Korda from 15 feet. Kang remains 2 up. 

Hole 19 - 349-yard par 4
Both players found the fairway with their drives on the first hole of the afternoon session. Korda hit her approach shot to 13 feet short of the hole and was slightly short on her uphill birdie putt. Kang hit her approach shot to 9 feet. Her birdie approach skirted the right side of the hole. Both par putts were conceded. Kang remains 2 up. 

A few statistics from the morning 18 of the 36-hole championship match. Both players are playing outstanding golf, with each under par, with the usual match-play concessions. Danielle Kang, who opened with three birdies in her first four holes, shot a 4-under 68, while Jessica Korda shot 69. 

Kang has hit 13 of 15 fairways, 14 of 18 greens and taken 30 putts. 

Korda has hit 14 of 15 fairways, 15 of 18 greens and totaled 29 putts, although she did three-putt the par-4 13th hole.

The afternoon round is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.

Hole 18 - 421-yard par 4
Korda stuck her approach shot to 10 feet and her birdie try slid left of the hole. Kang's birdie putt from 18 feet came within inches of the hole. Both par putts were conceded. Kang remains 2 up.

Hole 17 - 119-yard par 3
Korda narrowly missed her birdie attempt from 21 feet, while Kang just missed her 12-foot putt. Kang remains 2 up.

Hole 16 - 418-yard par 4
Korda's birdie putt from 35 feet came within inches of the hole and was conceded. Kang then rolled her birdie putt in from 15 feet to win the hole. Kang is 2 up.

Hole 15 - 358-yard par 4
Kang hit her tee shot into a fairway bunker, and her shot out ended up over the green. She then chipped to 5 feet. Korda was on the green in two shots, ending up within 2 feet. She made her birdie putt to win the hole. Kang is 1 up.

Hole 14 - 331-yard par 4
Kang's 40-foot birdie attempt rolled to 6 feet, which was converted for par. Korda's 25-foot attempt rolled 2 feet past the hole. She then made the 2-footer for par. Kang is 2 up.

Hole 13 - 439-yard par 4
Both players were on the green in two shots. Korda had a long putt from the front of the green downhill to 3 feet. She then missed her short par putt. Kang had a two-putt par to win the hole. Kang is 2 up.

Hole 12 - 574-yard par 5
Kang's third shot ended up in the fringe, short of the green. She left her chip shot well short of the hole, approximately 25 feet, and missed her lengthy par putt. Korda's third shot found the green within 8 feet of the hole. She converted her birdie putt to win the hole. Kang is 1 up.

Hole 11 - 207-yard par 3
The players traded two-putt pars to halve the hole. Kang two-putted from 23 feet. Korda two-putted from the fringe, 18 feet. Kang remains 2 up.

Hole 10 - 372-yard par 4
Both players were on the green in two shots. Korda putted from 28 feet to inches from the hole, which was conceded. Kang's birdie try from 16 feet went 3 feet past the hole. She coverted the par putt to halve the hole. Kang remains 2 up.

Hole 9 - 368-yard par 4
Korda hit her approach shot to 5 feet, but lipped her birdie putt to five feet beyond the hole. Kang two-putted from 11 feet. Kang remains 2 up.

Hole 8 - 412-yard par 4
Korda hit her approach shot to 20 feet below the hole and left her birdie putt just short. Kang hit her approach shot to 4 feet and made the birdie putt to win the hole. Kang is 2 up.

Hole 7 - 497-yard par 5
Kang hit her third shot from the fairway to the green, 16 feet from the hole. She left her birdie putt short and her par putt was conceded. Korda chunked her third shot and left it 54 feet short of the hole on the green. She rolled her putt to 5 feet and converted the par putt to halve the hole. Kang remains 1 up.  

Hole 6 - 383-yard par 4
Kang hit her approach shot from the fairway to the fringe, 15 feet from the hole. She left her birdie putt 3 feet short. Korda hit her approach shot from the fairway with an 8-iron to 7 feet and converted the birdie putt to win the hole. Kang is 1 up. 

Hole 5 - 351-yard par 4
Korda’s second shot from the rough flew the green. Her pitch went 5 feet by the hole and her par putt lipped out. Kang’s approach from the fairway landed on the green. She two-putted for par to win the hole. Kang is 2 up.

Hole 4 - 448-yard par 5
Korda hit an iron from the fairway into a greenside bunker. Her bunker shot rolled off the slope and her 30-foot birdie putt went 3 feet past the hole. Kang hit a hybrid from the fairway to 7 feet. She two-putted for birdie to win the hole. Kang is 1 up. 

Hole 3 - 163-yard par 3
Kang hit her tee shot on the par-3 third hole to the front fringe. Her 25-foot birdie putt came up short. Korda hit her tee shot to within 15 feet and converted the birdie putt to square the match. All square.

Hole 2 - 364-yard par 4
Both players were on the green in two. Korda’s 30-foot birdie putt stopped 3 feet short. Kang converted her 6-foot birdie putt to take the early lead. Kang is 1 up. 

Hole 1 - 349-yard par 4
Danielle Kang hit her tee shot into the fairway bunker. She hit her approach shot to 10 feet below the hole and made her birdie putt. Jessica Korda hit her approach shot with a wedge to 5 feet and converted her birdie putt. All square.   

  ---------------------------------------

7:25 a.m. -- Good morning and welcome to the 36-hole championship match for the 110th U.S. Women's Amateur Championship. The final features a pair of talented 17-year-olds: Danielle Kang of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Jessica Korda of Bradenton, Fla. Each golfer has performed well in past USGA championships. Kang was the medalist at the 2009 U.S. Women's Amateur and last month's U.S. Girls' Junior up the road at The Country Club of North Carolina in the Village of Pinehurst, where she advanced to the quarterfinals. She also made the cut at the U.S. Women's Open in July at Oakmont Country Club.

Korda helped the USA win the Curtis Cup Match in June and was on the USA Copa de las Americas Team that won the overall title in Argentina this past January. Twice she has made the cut at the Women's Open (2008 and 2009), shooting final-round 69s both times. She missed the cut at this year's Women's Open. She also decided to skip the Girls' Junior to be properly rested for a run at the Women's Amateur. Korda is also the daughter of 1998 Australian Open singles champion Petr Korda.

Keep up with the live championship-match blog as we'll provide hole-by-hole results from the match.

 The neighborhood surrounding Charlotte C.C. is full of stately brick homes and finely manicured lawns. The sound of children laughing can be heard in many backyards. And so too, an occasional cock-a-doodle-doo. Certainly not something you hear every day in suburban Charlotte. 

According to finalist Jessica Korda, who is staying with a club-member family during her time at the championship, a band of chickens has its own private residence here at the club. In fact, the chickens played an integral part of her post-match recuperation on Friday afternoon. 

“We made brownies,” giggled Korda when asked how she relaxed after her quarterfinal victory. “We went to visit the chickens at [a house along hole number] two, behind the bamboo trees.” The chickens kindly donated their eggs to Korda’s baking efforts. 

Perhaps they’re lucky eggs. Korda matched her largest margin victory in the championship, defeating Stephanie Sherlock by a 4-and-3 margin to advance to tomorrow’s 36-hole championship match. -- Christina Lance

Just went through the round-by-round scorecards of our four semifinalists and there are some very interesting statistics. Jennifer Kirby of Canada, the 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Alabama, has played the least amount of holes (63), while 17-year-old Danielle Kang of Thousand Oaks, Calif., who is entering her sophomore season at Pepperdine University (she graduated high school a semester early), has played the most amount of holes at 69. Those two golfers square off in match one.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old high school senior Jessica Korda of Bradenton, Fla., and 23-year-old Stephanie Sherlock of Canada each have played 67 holes.

But the differences lie in how the golfers have performed in their four previous matches to reach the final four.

Statistically speaking, Korda is clearly playing the best golf. She is the equivalent of 12 under par (with match-play concessions). Her worst round came in her 4-and-2 second-round victory over Candace Schepperle when she was two under over 16 holes. She was four under in her first-round 3-and-2 win over 2010 USA Curtis Cup teammate Stephanie Kono.

Sherlock's numbers are the worst among the four semifinalists. She is the equivalent of three over par. While she was one under par in beating Junthima Gulyanamitta in the quarterfinals on Friday, she was five over in a 19-hole win over 2010 NCAA Division I individual champion Caroline Hedwall of Sweden. She also was two over in her third-round win over Kelly Shon. Her best effort came in round one against 12-year-old Hannah O'Sullivan, where she was three under.

Kirby has also been impressive in match play, posting an 8-under total. She was four under on Friday when she eliminated 2007 U.S. Girls' Junior champion Kristen Park in the day's most lopsided match, 6 and 4. She also was three under in a second-round 3-and-2 win over 2010 U.S. Girls' Junior champion Doris Chen.

Kang has been quite consistent in all four matches. She either has been one under or one over par. She was one over in her 19-hole quarterfinal win over fellow Southern Californian Sydnee Michaels on Friday. She was one under in both Thursday matches against Juliana Murcia Ortiz (third round) and Gabriella Then (second round).

But as most people know, in match play you can shoot five under and lose or shoot five over and win. It all depends on the day and the opponent.

Which is why it's impossible to predict who will win on Saturday. -- David Shefter

Caddies live by the motto of show up, keep up and shut up. Well Stephanie Sherlock's caddie forgot the first part of that creed on Friday. He arrived after Sherlock had started her semifinal match against Junthima Gulyanamitta. Sherlock's father carried the bag on the first hole. The caddie eventually reached Charlotte Country Club when his player was on the second tee. Apparently the caddie was stuck in traffic.

The Rules allow for a player to change caddies as long as the golfer only has one caddie at a time. So Sherlock did not breach any rules when her caddie showed up late.

She's certainly hoping that isn't the case for Saturday's semifinal match against Jessica Korda.

"We told him to be here an hour early tomorrow, please," said Sherlock smiling.

The four semifinalists are set at the Women's Amateur and half are from north of the border. Jennifer Kirby and Stephanie Sherlock each are hoping to become the first Canadians to win this championship since Cathy Sherk in 1978. World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit is the only other Canadian to have claimed this prestigious title. She also happens to be the last Canadian to win a USGA title when she won the Senior Women's Amateur at Barton Creek in Austin, Texas, in 2003. A couple of Canadian men have come close in the last decade. Nick Taylor was the runner-up at the 2009 U.S. Amateur Public Links and was the low amateur at the 2009 U.S. Open. Richard Scott fell in the 2001 U.S. Junior Amateur final.

Asked if a victory would be played up big by the Canadian press, Sherlock said, "Probably not as much as if we were to win something in [ice] hockey. But I think some people would start to pay more attention to golf. I think it would shed some light on the women’s game up there for sure."

As many people know, the Canadians went bonkers wen both their men's and women's ice hockey teams claimed the golf medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Some Canadians have performed well on the golf course. Mike Weir won the 2003 Masters and has been a fixture for the International Team at the Presidents Cup. For years, Lorie Kane has carried the Canadian flag on the LPGA Tour, but she never won a major title.

"We don’t have many golfers on the LPGA and PGA tours," said Sherlock, "so obviously the RCGA (Golf Canada) is working hard to change that." -- David Shefter 

The four quarterfinal matches are on the course this morning and the match to keep an eye on is Jessica Korda against tri-medalist Erynne Lee. This has the makings of a fantastic duel. Korda, a 2010 USA Curtis Cup member, has had three grinding matches so far, including a 20-hole marathon Thursday afternoon against Lisa McCloskey, the runner-up at the 2010 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links and the North and South Women's Amateur. Lee was a semifinalist in this championship two years ago. I expect this one to go the distance.

The Women's Amateur has not produced a Canadian champion since Cathy Sherk in 1978. Incidentally, it's also the last time a mid-amateur (25 years and older) won this title. Sherk was 28. The only other Canadian to win the Women's Amateur was World Golf Hall of Fame member Marlene Stewart Streit. Jennifer Kirby and Stephanie Sherlock could join that elite list. Both golfers are leading their quarterfinal matches early.

Danielle Kang also has gotten an early jump on Sydnee Michaels in their Southern California duel. Interestingly enough, Michaels edged Kang by two strokes at the recent Canadian Women's Amateur in Kingsville, Ontario. But that was stroke play. This is match play. A much different animal. -- David Shefter

Going into today’s second round of match play, Lizette Salas had recorded two pars and one birdie on Charlotte C.C.’s 17th hole. With one stroke, she bettered all of those results. 

 Salas recorded her second career hole-in-one with a bouncing 9-iron shot on the par-3 17th hole. Even better news for Salas, that one stroke gave her a 2-and-1 victory over Amira Alexander. Alexander had led for much of the match, so Salas was particularly happy to see that ball disappear into the hole. 

 “It landed, hit once, hit the pin and went in,” said Salas. “I was just so relieved that I didn’t have to play 18. I was down the whole match and it kept going back and forth.” 

 Salas, who is entering her senior year at the University of Southern California, expects this to be her final appearance in the Women’s Amateur. Her first hole-in-one came on her 16th birthday. To get her second ace during another important event in her life – and at such a pivotal point in the championship – certainly brought a smile to Salas’ face. 

 “I’m just excited to go past round two,” said Salas. “I’ve lost the last two times of match play in round two. So I’m just pretty excited to get past. We’ll see how far I can go. It’s kind of good to end on that.” 

 Gracious in defeat, Alexander swapped hugs and handshakes with Salas. Alexander’s father and caddie, John, also gave Salas a big congratulatory hug, saying he hoped that she wins the championship. -- Christina Lance

Despite a spirited rally from an early 3-down deficit, Rachel Rohanna of Waynesburg, Pa., became the first of the three tri-medalists to be eliminated. Marina Alex of Wayne, N.J., registered a winning par at the par-4 19th hole to advance into a third-round match Thursday afternoon against 2007 U.S. Girls' Junior champion Kristen Park. Alex, who qualified for the 2009 U.S. Women's Open, was an All-American performer this past season at Vanderbilt University, where she will be a junior. By reaching the round of 16, Alex has matched her best performance in a USGA amateur championship. She also advanced to the third round at the 2008 U.S. Girls' Junior at Hartford Golf Club in West Hartford, Conn.

Not a lot of close matches in the second round this morning. Outside of tri-medalist Rachel Rohanna, who is going extra holes with Marina Alex, most of the matches in the round of 32 have been on the lopsided end. Sara-Maude Juneau beat 2010 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links champion Emily Tubert, 6 and 4. She won the first six holes of the match and was 7 up through 11.

Sydnee Michaels, competing in her fifth U.S. Women's Amateur, has only played 28 holes in dispatching her two opponents. She beat Corinne Carr of Pinehurst, N.C., 6 and 4.

No players with North Carolina ties are remaining after 2007 U.S. Girls' Junior champion Kristen Park beat 2010 USA Curtis Cup member Cydney Clanton of Rockwell, N.C., 2 and 1.

Juliana Murcia Ortiz of Colombia eliminated two-time Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup participant Sally Watson, 7 and 6.

The other two tri-medalists -- Jaclyn Sweeney and Erynne Lee -- both are losing their second-round match-ups against Junthima Gulyanamitta and Moriya Jutanugarn, respectively. Danielle Kang, the medalist at last month's U.S. Girls' Junior, looks to be on her way to playing this afternoon. And Doris Chen, who beat Kang in the quarterfinals en route to the title at The Country Club of North Carolina, was bounced by Canada's Jennifer Kirby, 3 and 2. -- David Shefter 

We're down to 32 players at the 110th U.S. Women's Amateur and by the end of Thursday -- barring any unforeseen weather delays -- we'll have our eight quarterfinalist. This is the only double-round session of match play. Of course, that's not counting Sunday's scheduled 36-hole final. While we don't have any match-ups featuring Curtis Cup players, three golfers who were involved in the 2010 Match at Essex County Club. The USA's Jessica Korda and Cydney Clanton take on Candace Schepperle and Kristen Park, respectively. Schepperle was chosen as an alternate for the Match and Park won the 2007 U.S. Girls' Junior.

Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup member Sally Watson, who also competed in the 2008 Match, faces Juliana Murcia Ortiz of Colombia.

Another excellent match-up has tri-medalist and No. 1 seed Rachel Rohanna facing Vanderbilt All-American Marina Alex. Alex eliminated Argentina's Victoria Tanco in the first round. Tanco qualified for the last three U.S. Women's Opens and was a quarterfinalist at last month's U.S. Girls' Junior. She also was the American Junior Golf Association's Player of the Year in 2009. -- David Shefter

As the skies darkened over Charlotte, the 6-for-1 playoff ended with minutes of light to spare. Isabel Han and Holly Clyburn both converted birdies on the par-4 10th hole, sending Sarah Zwartynski, Love Lynn Guioguio, Tiffany Lim and Victoria Trapani home after the first hole. Han then proceeded to knock in another birdie on the par-4 11th hole and grabbed the 64th and final spot in the Women’s Amateur match-play field. She has a meeting with top-seeded Rachel Rohanna at 10:50 a.m. on Wednesday. -- Christina Lance

For those interested, the last time we had tri-medalists at the U.S. Women's Amateur was 1996 when Kellee Booth, Jenny Lee and Grace Park all shared the honor. Two years earlier, Lori Teague, Erika Wicoff and Leta Lindley all tied for the top spot. None of those golfers went on to win the championship.

The six golfers in the 6-for-1 playoff are Holly Clyburn, Isabel Han, Tiffany Lim, Sarah Zwartynski, Victoria Trapani and Love Lynn Guioguio. -- David Shefter

Looks like the cut will come at 7-over-par 151, with six golfers vying for the last spot in the match-play field. That group includes Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup member Holly Clyburn of England and 16-year-old Tiffany Lim of San Jose, Calif., who made the 36-hole cut at this year's U.S. Women's Open. The playoff will begin at the 10th hole. And USGA officials will try to complete the playoff before sundown.

The lucky survivor will play one of the three tri-medalists: Rachel Rohanna of Waynesburg, Pa., Jaclyn Sweeney of Andover Mass., or Erynne Lee of Silverdale, Wash. All three finished at 6-under 138. Sweeney had a chance to earn solo medalist honors, but bogeyed the 18th hole, her only bogey of the round. She posted a pair of 69s. -- David Shefter

Mike Bolger was physically sweating through his golf shirt on Tuesday watching daughter and two-time U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion, Meghan Stasi, complete the final round of stroke-play qualifying at the 2010 U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Most of the perspiration was due to the 90-plus degree temperatures and sticky humidity. But when you are a parent, events like the U.S. Women’s Amateur will cause plenty of spectator anxiety. Especially considering that Meghan had never made the match-play cut in five previous Women’s Amateurs.

But the 32-year-old Floridian who was a member of the victorious 2008 USA Curtis Cup Team at St. Andrews, Scotland, finally ended that drought. An even-par 72 combined with Monday’s 76 easily qualified Stasi (she got married in 2009 to restaurant owner Danny Stasi) for the match-play portion of the competition that begins on Wednesday. The cut came at 7-over 151.

Stasi also is carrying the banner for the mid-amateur (25 years and older) crowd. Last year, none of the mid-amateurs in the Women’s Amateur field qualified for match play. Six competed in 2010, but only Stasi advanced.

“Age is just a number,” said Stasi. “You appreciate the game a lot more every chance you get. I’m just fortunate to be here right now.”

Stasi said nothing has changed with her game this summer. She did reach the semifinals of the British Ladies Amateur at Ganton Golf Club in England in June. She felt her round on Monday was solid outside of a few bad swings.

She also has good friend and Pinehurst Resort professional Brian Lally – nicknamed “Wally” – on her bag this week. Dad usually caddies at the Women’s Mid-Amateur and her husband, Danny, also will sometimes caddie.

“I don’t have to see their nerves,” she said smiling. “We’ve all been there. It’s not easy to watch. I had to do it as a coach [at the University of Mississippi]. They want it so much for you as well; probably a little more. Wally is just a great person and a great caddie.”

Now that Stasi is finally over the stroke-play hurdle at the Women’s Amateur, she could be a difficult opponent in match play. After all, she’s won two Women’s Mid-Amateurs and posted four victories at the British Ladies Amateur.

“Hopefully, it will be a good long week,” she said.

If that’s the case, dad might need to buy a few new shirts. – David Shefter

 In a sea of light-colored clothing, Caroline Hedwall certainly stood out at Charlotte C.C. today. While the oppressive heat sent many people to white polos and khaki shorts – and caddies to pullcarts – Hedwall steadfastly made her way along the course clad in all black. Making it even more striking was that she carried her own bag.

“I’m sweating but otherwise okay,” said the Oklahoma State University standout, who captured the NCAA Division I crown earlier this year. The Swede also played her way to low-amateur honors at last month’s Ricoh Women’s British Open.

Hedwall also added the weight of her golf bag to the pressure of the heat bearing down on the field here at Charlotte. When asked if she would keep carrying her bag throughout match play, she nodded, saying, “It feels good and I’m used to it from college, so I think I’m going to do that.” Hedwall’s two-day total of 2-under 142 will put her easily through into match play.

After playing two years of collegiate golf in Stillwater, Hedwall is expected to turn professional later this year. However, she did indicate she plans to once again play for Sweden in the 2010 Women’s World Amateur Team Championship, to be held October 20-23 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 2008, Hedwall teamed with future LPGA Tour player Anna Nordqvist and Pernilla Lindberg to capture the championship by a decisive 12 strokes over Spain. -- Christina Lance

Erynne Lee of Silverdale, Wash., is making a strong push for medalist honors at the 2010 U.S. Women's Amateur. She is currently five under par for the round through 13 holes, with six birdies and just one bogey. Lee, 17, is no stranger to performing well at the Women's Amateur. Two years ago at Eugene (Ore.) Country Club, she advanced to the semifinals before losing to eventual champion Amanda Blumenherst.

Lee's younger sister, Katie, however, appears to be fighting just to make the match-play cut. The 14-year-old is three over for the round and 10 over for the championship. Katie and Erynne each played in the U.S. Girls' Junior three weeks ago at The Country Club of North Carolina. Both made match play, but were eliminated in the first round.

The low 64 scorers after today's second round will advance to the match-play portion of the championship, which begins on Wednesday. -- David Shefter

The weather forecast certainly lived up to its hype today, as temperatures climbed into the low 90s and the humidity made it feel at least five degrees warmer. Water and cool peppermint towels were common sights along the course and walkways of Charlotte Country Club for players, officials and spectators. The players, however, provided a variety of reactions to the steamy conditions. 

“I’m really not used to this [heat],” said 2007 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion Kristen Park, who played in even warmer temperatures at the Girls’ Junior at The Country Club of North Carolina in the Village of Pinehurst last month. “I’m used to California weather – perfect conditions all year long. I’m not used to this, but I’m trying to adapt.”

Chattanooga’s Brooke Pancake came from another event last week where temperatures simmered in the triple digits, so at least she was somewhat accustomed to the feeling. “It is pretty hard to get used to really humid weather,” she said. “You’re still sweating and having to dry your hands off.”

However, to Thailand’s Junthima Gulyanamitta, the heat was a piece of cake. “It’s hot. It is for me,” Gulyanamitta said with a smile. “But it’s not too bad because Thailand is a lot warmer than this. Still hot, but it’s bearable.” -- Christina Lance

One of the first things we do at each USGA championship is sift through biographical forms that the players fill out. These provide us interesting human-interest storylines as well as past results in USGA and non-USGA championships, and other vital personal data.

A form that caught our eye came from Samantha Roberts, a 22-year-old from Carlsbad, Calif., who will be a senior at San Diego State in the fall. Roberts said one of her favorite pastimes is practicing sand shots at the beach while wearing a bikini. This accomplishes two important things: improving her short game while improving her tan.

Of course, the most important piece of Roberts' bio is that she likes hitting the drive-thru at In-N-Out Burger at least twice daily. In-N-Out is one of those California (as well as Arizona and southwestern Nevada) fast-food treasures. Boy, a Double-Double would be tasty right now.

Roberts also hope to someday design and model her own line of golf apparel and star on ABC's "The Bachelorette."

Saw something quite amusing on the Charlotte Country Club driving range earlier today. Canadian Christina Foster, one of a handful of left-handers in the field, was hitting balls when Yueer "Cindy" Feng of the People's Republic of China walked by. The two were chatting when Feng decided she wanted hit a few balls left-handed. She took out Foster's driver and started whacking a few balls. I must say the form was not bad. While she won't win any long-drive contests, Feng, who was the youngest competitor at the U.S. Women's Open the past two years, wasn't embarrassing herself, either. She was hitting a few liners about 150 yards. Feng's caddie then tried to emulate his player, but his attempts were far more futile. Foster, meanwhile, was having a good chuckle over the proceedings. -- David Shefter