Notebook: Alternate Sweats It Out

Southern Pines, N.C. – Should Amie Cochran embrace Lorena Ochoa in an affectionate bear hug this week, no one could blame her.

Perhaps there was no bigger Ochoa fan this past weekend than the 21-year-old Cochran. Ochoa’s remarkable comeback at the Wegmans LPGA in which she erased In-Kyung Kim’s three-stroke lead with two holes to play ended a rather stimulating day – for Cochran anyway.

Ochoa ended up winning the tournament in extra holes, meaning Cochran would get a chance to make her fourth Women’s Open appearance. Of course, it wasn’t easy. That’s if you’re a first alternate, as Cochran was out of Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City, Calif.

"It’s the most nervous thing you can put anyone through," said Cochran. "Watching Lorena three down with three holes to go, watching Lorena eagle, watching Kim miss her putt …."

In other words, it made Cochran quiver. She tried keeping herself busy while working at Trump National in Los Angeles. To stop fretting, she’d putt some balls on the range then head inside for updates. At times she’d even purposely keep track on a computer because it felt "less painful" than watching on TV, she said.

When Ochoa made a par on the second extra playoff hole for the victory, Cochran’s co-workers erupted in jubilation.

"All my co-workers dog-piled on me," said Cochran. "It was really intense."

It may have been lost on Cochran that had Kim won instead, Cochran still would have been in the field this week. The reason why? One spot had been left open to get into the field this week had a non-exempt player won the Wegmans LPGA. To clarify further, winners of LPGA co-sponsored events whose victories are considered official from the conclusion of the 2006 Women’s Open to the initiation of this year’s championship would gain an exemption.

Kim had already made into the championship, qualifying via sectionals, meaning it wouldn’t have affected Cochran had she outlasted Ochoa.

Going from the WAPL to the Women's Open has been an eye-opener for Mina Harigae . (Robert Walker/USGA)

Seventeen-year-old Mina Harigae, fresh off her victory at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship, felt like a champion as she moseyed to the driving range Monday at Pine Needles. The feeling didn’t last long as her eyes surveyed the land.

"It’s way different here," she said, playing in her first Women’s Open. "I just want to stay out of the pros’ way. It’s a little bit intimidating."

After defeating Stephany Fleet, 4 and 3, Saturday at Kearney Hill Golf Links in Lexington, Ky., Harigae and her entourage celebrated briefly before flying to North Carolina.

Last year Harigae had a deal with her parents that if she won the U.S. Girls’ Junior or U.S. Women’s Amateur, she’d get a car. It never materialized.

So what will she receive for winning the WAPL?

"My mom is like, ‘That’s so last year,’" said Harigae laughing.

For what is believed to be a first in the history of the championship, there are more international players in the field than Americans. This year the names of 79 international players, or two more than the number of Americans listed, will dot the scoreboard.

Dating to 2000, according to unofficial records, the dominance of the American player has waned. Seven years ago 100 Americans were represented in 2000 compared to 50 international contestants.

The international country with the most representation this week? None other than Korea with 35 players.

The winner of this year’s championship will receive $560,000. The total purse is $3.1 million.