July 1, 2006
NEWPORT, R.I. -
California alums Sarah Huarte (2000-04) and Sophia Sheridan (2002-06) didn't make the cut for Sunday's final 36 holes of the 61st U.S. Women's Open at the Newport Country Club. This year marked the first time the Golden Bears have been represented by more than one athlete at the annual event.
"It was amazing," said Sheridan. "I told my friends and (Cal) Coach (Nancy McDaniel) I was playing the U.S. Open and the British Open. It was long and windy. It was the U.S. Open. It was so much fun. I'm never going to forget it."
Huarte and Sheridan ended the tournament tied for 116th at 13-over 155. Sheridan fired a 79 Saturday, improving to only three-over on the back nine. The product of Guadalajara, Mexico, sank two birdies today and five birdies overall during the first two rounds.
Huarte, the 2004 NCAA champion, shot an 80 today and performed better on the front nine (+4). The Shingle Springs, Calif., native accumulated five birdies over two days. At her first appearance at the U.S. Women's Open in 2005, Huarte tied for 23rd with Sweden's Annika Sorenstam.
Cal assistant coach Anne Walker served as Huarte's caddy for the second consecutive year at the U.S. Women's Open.
"I learned that patience pays off at either the end or the middle of the round," said Sheridan. "The leaderboard changes from one hole to the next. You just never give up. It's just one stroke that's going to count. You put more emphasis on it because it's the U.S. Open, but I should put it on every hole and every shot I make at any professional tournament I play. That's the main thing I keep learning at every tournament I play. Hopefully, I'll be back next year."
The top 68 golfers - all with scores of eight-over or better - made the cut for Sunday's final day of competition. Sorenstam and the United States' Pat Hurst are tied for first at two-under 140.
