McCurdy qualifies for the U.S. Women's Open

Jump to U.S. Wome’s Open site FAYETTEVILLE – University of Arkansas senior golfer Amanda McCurdy made her second consecutive cut for the 2006 U.S. Women’s Open Monday. McCurdy, along with Lady Razorback teammate Stacy Lewis, took part in a sectional qualifier at the par-71 TPC course at Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, Monday firing 74-73 for 147 to advance. McCurdy’s storied career at Arkansas includes a pair of all-Southeastern Conference selections and a National Golf Coaches Association honorable mention all-America honor as the El Dorado, Ark., native paced the Lady Razorbacks to consecutive NCAA Championship appearances. Last year, McCurdy’s dramatic and televised runner-up finish at the sectional qualifier propelled the future professional player to the U.S. Women’s Open in Cherry Hills, Colo., where she made the cut finishing tied for 38th overall. This year’s event is slated for Newport Country Club in Newport, RI, June 29-July 2. "Amanda’s experience last year really helped her through this qualifier," said Arkansas head coach Kelley Hester. "She had 16 pars and just two bogies. Her dad, who was traveling with her, said this was the longest golf course she’s ever played in competition. I think that’s really good preparation for the Open which is also on a long course." "Amanda was recently selected to the Curtis Cup and now again qualifies for the Open," continued Hester. "She’s really playing well now and that’s great for her confidence." Lewis, a sophomore from The Woodlands, Texas, also played the event just missing the cut by three strokes with rounds of 74-76. "I understand that Stacy didn’t putt as well today," said Hester. "But she’s got a great game and I really look for this experience to make her better." Lewis is coming off a record-setting season in which she posted a final round school and course record 66 at the NCAA Championship in late May. She repeated that round on the first day of the 91st Women’s Southern Amateur Championship last week in Pinehurst, N.C., taking home runner-up honors in the five-day event.