Esther Choe says she is 15, but her golf game is more mature by comparison.
Choe, who just finished her sophomore year of high school in her native Scottsdale, Ariz., was one of three golfers Tuesday to qualify for next week’s U.S. Women’s Open at Cherry Hills Country Club. Choe joined Kim Brozer of Red Deer, Alberta, and Paige Mackenzie of Yakima, Wash., as qualifying with 36-hole totals of 145 at the Denver Country Club.
For Choe, it was a surreal moment when she was reminded she will play in the same field next week with her idol, LPGA star Annika Sorenstam.
“She’s my hero,” Choe said. “She dominates the tour. It will be awesome to just be in the same tournament as her. Hopefully, I can play well and, who knows, maybe I can make the cut.”
Choe shot rounds of 72 and 73, sinking a 7-foot putt on the 18th hole of her second round to gain a tie with Brozer and Mac- kenzie.
“My putting saved me today,” said Choe, who will participate in her first LPGA event at Cherry Hills. “I worked really hard for this, so I’m not totally surprised. I’m just really happy.”
Mackenzie, a student at the University of Washington who also will play in this week’s Colorado Open, shot 72 and 73. This, too, will be her first LPGA event, one of her to-do tasks she wrote out for herself this week.
“On my goal sheet I put, ‘Win sectional qualifier and then top-20 at the Open,”‘ Mackenzie said. “We’ll see, but that’s my goal. I’m thrilled.
“I’ve been working for this for the last couple years. I’ve been playing well this spring, at the NCAAs and local (tourneys).”
Brozer, 35, was a member of the LPGA Tour in 1999 and will make her second U.S. Open appearance. She had the lowest round of the day, as her second-round 69 – the only score under 70 – atoned for a 76 in the first.
“I hit it a bit crooked in the morning,” said Brozer, who will play in the Colorado Open. “When you’re looking at 36 holes, all you can do is keep playing. I made a lot of putts when I needed to, and that was the key. I had a par save on (No.) 9, which was good.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to the Open.”
Adrian Dater can be reached
at 303-820-5454 or adater@denverpost.com.
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