Amateurs Lucidi, Jackson Thrilled At Opportunity
By Doug Stark, USGA
North Plains, Ore. – Becky Lucidi, last year’s U.S. Women’s Amateur
champion, almost didn’t make it to the Women’s Open this year.
"I was playing in the Women’s Amateur Public Links two weeks ago
in Florida," said Lucidi. "I got like six phone calls and
notes on my hotel door from [a bunch of people] making sure that I got
in. They were looking out for me. I think that I was one of the last
few applicants that applied."
 |
| Last
year's Women's Amateur champion, Becky Lucidi, has been floating
on air since learning she'd be paired with idols Juli Inkster and
Karrie Webb. (John Mummert/USGA) |
Winning the Women’s Amateur carries an automatic berth into the Women’s
Open. However, that automatic exemption almost fell by the wayside,
thus depriving Lucidi of an opportunity of a lifetime.
She may have been one of the last, but luckily she made it and is ready
to take her best shot against two of the game’s best – Juli Inkster
and Karrie Webb. That’s because she’ll be playing with them the first
two rounds. It’s traditional that the previous year’s champions of the
Women’s Open, British Open and Women’s Amateur are paired together.
Last year after knocking off Brandi Jackson at the Women’s Amateur,
Lucidi was on a high.
"Ever since the Women’s Amateur ended, I have not been able to
come down off this cloud," said Lucidi. "It has definitely
pushed my game to a new level. [Thursday] I will be playing with two
of the top players in the world, Juli Inkster and Karrie Webb."
Excuse her if she needs to be pinched. Growing up, Lucidi used to watch
the Women’s Open along with her father. Half amazed, she’d tell her
dad that one day she’d like to be playing in the women’s biggest event.
At 2:13 p.m. Thursday she’ll get that chance, teeing off with two players
who have won the last four Women’s Open titles. It will be a moment
that she will remember for the rest of her life.
"I will definitely have nerves but more anxiety," said Lucidi.
"I will be anxious to just get started. For the last eight months,
every time I am on the driving range all I can think about is that first
tee shot. Every time I am hitting drives all I can think about is getting
that over with."
Jackson, exempt into the championship this week for being runner-up
at the Women’s Amateur, was also battling nerves. That was Tuesday during
a practice round.
"It’s somewhat intimidating," she said. "A lot of these players I’ve
watched on TV and they’ve been playing week after week, and playing
for money. But it’s been a great experience."
Winning the Women’s Amateur has given Lucidi a new perspective on her
game as well as what it takes to be a professional.
"I am more focused, more precise with my goals and I am putting
in more time," said Lucidi. "This is what I want to do with
my life so to be all that much better you need to practice at this game.
My regimen has changed."
Since winning the Women’s Amateur, Lucidi has been busy. She was named
to the U.S. Women’s World Amateur team that took fifth place at the
Women’s World Amateur Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in October.
She led the American team with a 295 that tied for 15th place.
Upon returning to the University of Southern California in the fall
for her senior year, she competed in three tournaments.
In March 2003, she missed the cut at the Nabisco Championship, her
first LPGA tournament. Emboldened by her Women’s Amateur win, the automatic
bid to the Women’s Open and a desire to defend the Women’s Amateur crown
next month, Lucidi plans on going to qualifying school and turning professional.
"Winning gives you confidence and you can never have too much
of that," said Lucidi. "That is what I have this week. Hopefully
I can maintain that this week and put up some good numbers.
"That is the biggest perk for me this week. To be out with Juli,
Karrie and the rest of the girls. These are the best golfers in the
world. I am fortunate to be here. I definitely want to win and I am
going to go out there and give it my best this week. It is a treat to
be here."
Doug Stark is the Librarian for the USGA. E-mail dstark@usga.org
with questions or comments.
