Christina Kim, on the LPGA Tour since 2003, is appearing in her fourth U.S. Women’s Open this week at Cherry Hills Country Club. She tied for 27^th in 2003, her best finish in the championship. Kim holds the USGA record for lowest 18-hole score in a USGA competition when she shot 8-under 62 during the 2001 U.S. Girls’ Junior. She shares her thoughts with www.uswomensopen.com:

It’s exciting to be playing in my fourth Open. Each venue has been different and while it’s difficult to explain, I think the easiest way to describe Cherry Hills is that it’s a traditional, old-style type course with the rough the great equalizer. The rough is extremely high and very penal. I think it’s fair to say they kicked it up a notch this week.

I think another thing about this week is that fact that the fairways are a little tighter than usual, but the greens are not as severe as say a Pine Needles.

The ball also flies further here so the fact that it is the longest course in Women’s Open history is not as much as a factor as you would think.

I got a chance to play a little on Monday after Rochester when I got here and then played two full rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Looking at the course, I like to think there isn’t a hole out there that isn’t a birdie opportunity. I think it’s also a good course for most of the girls out here because it puts a premium on hitting good iron shots, and I’d like to think I’m doing pretty well right now.

Coming into the week I feel like I’m playing OK. I’m trying to get away from the idea of putting too much pressure on myself and really forcing myself to do well. Whereas all I really have to do is let it happen and let it come to me, so I’ve been trying to work in that a little bit, but I am feeling pretty good about my game.

It’s also kind of an odd week because you see so many people that you don’t normally see so you really don’t know how’s it’s going to turn out because there are so many unknowns.

I am looking forward to my pairings in the first and second rounds, with Cristie Kerr and Carin Koch, three CKs. They’re both tour players who I see on a weekly basis and I am excited for tomorrow.

It has been different that I have had a lot of people come up to me and say they thought I should be a favorite or asking me how I think I will do. I have to say that while there is a lot of focus on a few players, I believe that there is not a golf course designed with any particular player in mind and Cherry Hills is not any different. Everyone’s got a chance at it; all that matters is that you’re in the field and everyone starts at square one.