Shean shocks field

OAKMONT, Pa. — University of Arkansas senior-to-be Kelli Shean carded a one-under and is tied for second at the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open in Oakmont, Pa., Thursday.The Cape Town, South Africa, native bogeyed the final hole or she would have held the top spot after the first round of play.“I don’t even really know what to say,” Arkansas head women’s golf coach Shauna Estes-Taylor said. “I couldn’t be more proud of Kelli. What she did today was amazing and I’m thrilled for her. She was so excited after her round and this experience is one that will stay with her a lifetime.”Estes-Taylor and Arkansas assistant coach Mike Adams are at Oakmont for this week’s event.“You know, I’ve been in Arkansas for three years now,” Shean said after her round. “I’m going back there in August. I mean, in the beginning, I didn’t expect to be playing in a U.S. Open two years down the line. I mean, that just show how much that Arkansas has helped me out and how much I’ve grown n the last couple of years.”Shean held the lead and was on top of the leaderboard after her round. She was late edged by Brittany Lang who ended her day two under moving Shean into a tie for second overall."Kelli is very talented and has a lot of skill,” Estes-Taylor said. “But, as they say, you have to have a little luck and she got some good breaks out there.”Shean battled well and got up and down well. She found the famous Church Pews bunkers on the par-4 third hole but hit a 7-iron to just short of the green making par.“I think that my attitude was good and I just kept calm out there,” Shean said. “I’m having a good time out there. You know, this course is hard. If you’re going to get mad over a couple of three-putts or a bad bounce or something, then I don’t think you’re going to enjoy it as much.Shean’s round was calm and she handled her emotions well but she did choke up a bit when she interviewed with Ernie Els after play.“Yeah, that’s kind of unbelievable,” Shean said. “I don’t really have the kind of words to explain that. Back in South Africa, I joined the Ernie Els Fan Foundation. They got me around. They got me everywhere I needed to go. Being able to interact with him and have any kind of relationship with Ernie Els is unbelievable.”Two former Razorbacks are also playing in this year’s Women’s Open. LPGA member and four-time All-American Stacy Lewis is in her second season as a pro on the LPGA Tour. Lewis finished the day tied for 50th overall with a first round 75.Lucy Nunn, who is currently a member of the Duramed FUTURES Tour, opened with an 83 and is tied for 138 overall.Play for all three players continues with the top 60 players including ties making the cut to the final round.