Jensen Castle has tried not to change her routine for the U.S. Open Championship to avoid adding extra pressure. (UK Athletics Photo)
Kentucky sophomore golfer Jensen Castle will play in the 76th U.S. Women’s Open Championship in San Francisco starting Thursday. However, she’s going to get a chance to play with two LPGA stars — Lexi Thompson and Paula Creamer — before the event even starts as she will play a practice round with them. Thompson has 14 professional wins, including one major championship, while Creamer has 12 wins, including one major title.
“I saw a spot open (to sign up for a practice round with them) and just put my name in there,” said Castle. “I will be playing nine holes with each of them and it should be a great learning experience in itself. I am excited to have a chance to play with them and get to know them a little bit.”
Thompson had to survive a nerve-wracking sectional qualifier in Pittsburgh to get her U.S. Open spot. She had three bogeys in her final four holes in round two and thought she had blown her chance to qualify despite finishing at 1-under par for 36 holes.
“When I came into the clubhouse (after the second round), I thought I had no chance (to qualify). I called (UK coach) Golda (Borst) and she said to stay prepared for a playoff. I was lucky to get into a playoff. I had no idea I would get that opportunity.”
She beat professional Rachel Rohanna on the second playoff hole. She had to make a four-foot birdie putt on the first hole to extend the playoff and then had a two-putt par on the second hole to get the U.S. Open berth.
Castle had UK’s second-best scoring average at 74.0 per 18-hole round and helped UK qualify for the NCAA Championship. However, that did not match her freshman season when she averaged a UK record 71.88 strokes per round.
“I didn’t really have a good collegiate season but I also realize I had a great season my freshman year that was hard to top,” Castle said. “Fortunately we had a great team dynamic and I am so excited for the upcoming years for our team.”
One of her UK teammates, freshman Laney Frye, had a terrific season and will be caddying for Castle at the U.S. Open.
Castle has never been to California — the further west she has been was Arizona in the recent NCAA Championship — and she’s glad Frye and Borst will be with her.
“Laney will be a great caddy and it will be fun having her on the bag. This is not all golf-related. I just want to be able to cherish the moment of playing in the U.S. Open and I know Laney will be there one day herself,” Castle said. “The heat coach will basically be our mother for the week and make sure we follow all the rules.”
Castle insisted she has not prepared any different for the U.S. Open than any other tournament she has played. She knows it comes down to ball striking and a sound short game and overemphasizing what the tournament means would only put additional pressure on her.
“It is what it is at this point,” the UK sophomore said. “I am trying to go in with no expectations. Making the (36-hole) cut would be a dream but I know I will be back there one day. I just want to enjoy it and see what it is like. One day I want to be a pro myself and now I get to tee off with the best players in the world.”
Castle says her putting has been the best part of her game recently along with her short game.
“Putting, I just don’t want to overthink it,” she said. “The rough is going to be very thick, so getting off the tee and in the fairway is also going to be very important.”
Castle is excited she will be able to support Kentucky at the Open.
“I will be allowed to use all my Kentucky stuff and I for sure will be wearing it. So will Laney. We Will be representing Kentucky all we can,” Castle said. “All my teammates are very excited for me to represent Kentucky, too, so I want to do all I can to do that.”
