Talented Argentinean teen Victoria Tanco could have flown over to France this week to compete in the LPGA Tour's Evian Masters on a sponsor's exemption. But Tanco, who has qualified for the last three U.S. Women's Opens, decided she would rather compete amongst her peers at the U.S. Girls' Junior at The Country Club of North Carolina.
Good for her.
In an era where youngsters are so eager to turn pro and compete with the stars, here's a young lady who gets it. There will be many future opportunities for Tanco, and she obviously has her priorities in order.
In talking with Golfweek,com, Tanco said, "The USGA is so good and they let us qualify for the U.S. [Women's] Open so I said it’s better to stay here because I get to play in USGA tournament – it’s really nice.”
Tanco opened with a disappointing 80, but bounced back with a 73 on Tuesday to easily qualify for match play. She is taking on 14-year-old Gabriella Then of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., another 2010 U.S. Women's Open qualifier. The winner could face 2010 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links stroke-play medalist Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand. Jutanugarn reached the quarterfinals of the 2009 Girls' Junior, beating 2008 champion Alexis Thompson in the third round. She also qualified for the Honda Thailand LPGA event as an 11-year-old.