Kerr Believes Channeling Emotions Will Be Key

By Dave Shedloski

South Hadley, Mass. -- After her second victory of 2004, a one-stroke triumph in the ShopRite LPGA Classic two weeks ago, Cristie Kerr didn't so much dare to dream as declare her intentions.

"I don't want to get ahead of myself," she said after her 8-foot birdie putt on the final hole at Marriott Seaview Resort in Galloway Township, N.J., nipped Giulia Sergas and amateur Paula Creamer, "but why not think about player of the year? Why not put those goals ahead of you?"

Why not, indeed. And why not start right now, this week, with one of the most important women's tournaments of the year? Why not start Thursday, while you're keeping company with the best player in the world?

If the largely reticent Kerr is going to fulfill the immense promise she has showed since her precocious amateur days, a victory at this week's 59^th U.S. Women's Open would certainly go a long way. Kerr, 26, of Miami, who turned professional in 1997, will be making her ninth start in the national championship and her seventh as a pro.

She might never be more ready to win her first major.

She'll certainly have plenty of inspiration close by, playing the first two rounds at Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley, Mass., with former two-time Open champion Annika Sorenstam. The pair and Virada Nirapathpongporn of Thailand start at 12:59 p.m. Thursday off No. 1. Kerr should be armed with plenty of confidence, too.

"I think that was a little bit of a mental break for me because I came from behind to win," said Kerr of her win at the ShopRite Classic. "I handled the adversity well. I handled my adrenaline much better than I ever had in any previous tournament wins. I'm learning to keep my emotions in check so I can compete, so I can perform to the highest possible level."

Kerr, who is third on the LPGA money list, has played well in Open championships, particularly in recent years. Low amateur in the '96 edition when she tied for 36^th, Kerr produced her highest finish in a major when she tied for second in 2000 with a closing 2-under-par 70 at the Merit Club in Gurnee, Ill., the second lowest final round score. The following year she tied for fourth, however; Kerr never was close to the top spot in either event, finishing five and 10 shots back, respectively.

Last year she tied for 13^th at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Ore., nine shots behind the lead trio that played off for the title. Only in 2000 did she complete 72 holes under par.

Being in close proximity to the favorite - Sorenstam - for 36 holes might help her stay near the lead. With two wins and six top-10 finishes in the first half of the year, Kerr is proving she might be a different player capable of doing just that.

"I'm maturing," she said. "I'm learning how to handle pressure, use my emotions in the right situations. I don't get too up or too down when I'm on the golf course now. I try to stay focused on what I'm doing. I just go forward with my own business."

David Shedloski is a free-lance writer whose work has appeared previously on www.uswomensopen.com.