McCullough Battles Back to Qualify for U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur

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By Nick Hunter
nick@mngolf.org
 
 
  BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. – An auspicious bounce and a string of four straight birdies helped Paige McCullough to a round of 3-over par 75 Tuesday at Edinburgh USA, claiming medalist honors as well a spot in the 2018 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship.
 
Despite the difficult conditions Monday and battling an illness over the last several weeks, McCullough transformed a rough start into a strong finish to earn her fifth appearance at the national championship, which will be played Sept. 22-27 at Norwood Hills Country Club in St. Louis.
 
“This is huge. I’m really going to work on my swing and I’m starting to get a lot more energy, so it’s exciting because I’ve been able to scramble and play well despite some adversity this summer,” McCullough said after claiming the lone qualifying spot Tuesday. “I haven’t played a lot of competitive golf this year. I actually have [mononucleosis] right now and I’m recovering from that, so it took me a while to get my feet down, my sailor’s legs.
 
“Everyone knew there was only one spot and you’re in the final group and there’s no one else coming behind you. It’s almost like match play at a certain point. By the 12^th or 13^th hole, that’s where we stood. I kept repeating to myself, ‘I can do this, I can win,’ and was able to have that positive visualization and positive mental attitude to carry me through.”
 
Tuesday’s challenge was evident immediately as players had to wait out the wet course conditions before the first tee ball was struck.
 
“Certainly tough conditions today, especially on the front nine,” McCullough said. “On the first hole we had a 20-minute delay because of standing water on the greens. I did my best getting into the right mental mind frame of the conditions are what they are, and trying to score as best you can.”
 
McCullough’s psychological fortitude was also tested early as she took a pair of double-bogeys over her first three holes, but limited the damage by rolling in two birdie putts from six feet at the fifth and ninth holes to turn at 2-over.
 
Starting with three quick bogeys to begin the final nine Tuesday, McCullough trailed Leigh Klasse by four strokes before hitting her stride, making four consecutive birdies, which was started by sinking an uphill 25-footer at the par-3 14^th.

Following a second birdie at the par-5 15^th, McCullough’s tee shot at the 16^th bounced off a tree and stopped six feet from the pin, leading to her third straight birdie and into a share of the lead with Klasse at 2-over.
 
“When you hit the tape or the let in tennis, you apologize to your opponent. When I hit the tree on 16 and got a fortunate bounce, I felt like I should apologize to the group for that one,” McCullough said.
 
McCullough stroked a 5-iron to 25 feet at the par-4 17^th and rolled in her birdie look to take a two-shot lead to the final hole following a bogey by Klasse.
 
“Seventeen was a huge birdie. That gave me a lot of momentum going into 18 to give me some cushion. I had a little bit of jitters on 18 and probably made a mistake on club selection. I hit something I was comfortable with and put myself in that front bunker, but was able to recover and get it done.”
 
McCullough left her third shot in the bunker at the 18^th before hitting out 25 feet past the flag, two-putting for double-bogey to secure the lone qualifying spot with a one-stroke victory after a bogey by Klasse.
 
“I love playing against Leigh Klasse. She’s a super nice lady and really consistent. She’s really a legend in Minnesota,” McCullough said of her playing partner and fellow University of Minnesota golfer. “She was playing really well, I had her card so I knew exactly where she stood. She was 1-under on the back nine and when I made the birdie on 16, that’s when I felt like it was mine to take control of. I think it was a positive mental attitude and figuring out what was working with my irons and sticking with those and not trying to muscle the ball and be too aggressive.”
 
Klasse, of Cumberland, Wis., and Alison Hurley, from Scottsdale, Ariz., finished as first and second alternates, respectively.

 
 
2018 U.S. WOMEN’S MID-AMATEUR SECTIONAL QUALIFYING
EDINBURGH USA
BROOKLYN PARK, MINN.
6,000 YARDS, PAR 72
 
 
TUESDAY’S FINAL RESULTS
1. Paige McCullough, Maple Grove, Minn., 38-37—75 (medalist)
2. Leigh Klasse, Cumberland, Wis., 38-38—76 (first alternate)
3. Alison Hurley, Scottsdale, Ariz., 42-42—84 (second alternate)
4. Janelle Duffy, Adel, Iowa, 39-50—89