(Left): Former student Nicole Hage hits the ball at a tournament during her time at Auburn. (right) Cydney Clanton strokes the ball during a tournament this past season. Hage and Clanton both attempted the U.S. Open this year.
Auburn freshman All-American Cydney Clanton experienced the pressures of playing with the pros at this year’s 63rd Women’s U.S. Open at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minn., June 23-29.
Tying for second place after posting a 5-over 76 at the par-71 Georgia National Golf Club in McDonough, Ga., allowed Clanton to advance to the second and final local qualifier held at the Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in North Carolina.
Showing no signs of letting up, Clanton fired a spectacular 69 and 71 during the 36-hole event, which promised the First-Team All-American an amateur invitation to this year’s Open.
“Cydney was all business when she stepped up to the first tee,” said sophomore Candace Schepperle, Clanton’s caddy for the event and fellow teammate. “I was really proud of how she handled herself in such a big tournament.”
Although this was Clanton’s first major appearance, numerous Auburn Tigers have played in the Open. Past U.S. Women’s Open Auburn Tigers include Courtney Swaim Trimble, Celeste Troche, Diana Ramage, Missy Tuck Gordon, Maria Martinez and Nicole Hage.
Four-time All-American Hage finished her last season in 2006 with the Tigers, and this year’s U.S. Open was her third appearance. However, Clanton and Hage both failed to make this year’s weekend cut.
Following Thursday’s first round of play, Clanton was tied for 95th, posting a 4-over 77 for the day while Hage found herself tied for 124th shooting a 6-over 79.
“The hardest part was not getting caught up in all the emotions of the Open with all the people out there and the pressure to play well. The hardest task was to keep my calm and just play my game,” Clanton said.
Clanton improved by two strokes on Friday’s round with a 2-over 75 and 152 total. Hage posted another 79 leaving her at 12-over concluding Friday’s round, while both players finished strong with birdies on the ninth hole.
The 72-hole event saw the field trimmed from 156 to the lowest 60 players concluding Friday’s second round of play. Clanton missed the weekend cut by a mere two strokes.
“Her goal was to make it to the weekend and post a competitive score, but there’s always next year,” Schepperle said.
South Korea’s Inbee Park became the youngest champion in the event’s history, winning by four strokes and finishing the weekend at 9 under par.
The Open was the first major win for the 19-year-old who finished tied for fourth place in the 2007 Open.
Thirteen amateurs made their debate at Interlachen Country Club this year, but for Clanton, the U.S. Open experience wasn’t her first, technically.
The prior year, the then 17-year-old enjoyed all the benefits and privileges of an eligible player, but as an alternate, could not play in the actual 2007 tournament.
This experience only created a greater desire for her to compete in this year’s tournament as an amateur.
“The whole experience was great, I learned a lot about myself and my game. I have learned what it takes to play and compete and what I have to work on to achieve my goals for the future. I also have gotten a taste for playing on the tour and know that I want more of that taste,” Clanton said.
Auburn women’s golf head coach Kim Evans attended the tournament and rooted her players on every step of the way from the gallery.
“The Open is not just a ‘I made it by one certain preparation’ tournament–It is years of preparing, practice, competition, experience and inner strength. I was delighted Cydney was there and look forward to watching her in many U.S. Opens,” Evans said.
Clanton was the only current Auburn team member to make it through both qualifiers.
NGCA All-American scholar team member freshman Sarah Thread, 2007 SEC freshman of the year Candace Schepperle and three-time second-team All-SEC Margaret Shirley were among the other Auburn golfers that attempted to qualify.
