Thompson,  Korda card 71 and 72, respectively, in first round

By Stuart Hall

	Alexis Thompson doesn't want to believe the fate of a birdie attempt on the ninth hole. She took 31 putts in the round. (John Mummert/USGA)

Bethlehem, Pa. — Amid the specter of the U.S. Women’s Open and all its major trappings, teenagers Jessica Korda and Alexis Thompson are being, well, teenagers just trying to keep it real.

A combined 30 years in age with five U.S. Women’s Open appearances in their young amateur career, the duo is approaching this week at Saucon Valley Country Club’s Old Course as no different than another summer competition.

“It was sort of like a junior golf event because it was an all‑junior group, it was pretty cool,” said Thompson, 14, of Coral Springs, Fla., who played with the 16-year-old Korda and 17-year-old Kimberly Kim, the 2006 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion who is making her fourth Women’s Open start.

By day’s end, Thompson was even-par 71, three shots back of first-round leader Na Yoon Choi, herself only 21. Korda, who shot a final-round 69 a year ago to tie for 19th at Interlachen Country Club, posted a 72. Kim, who two weeks ago was the runner-up at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship, shot a disappointing 82.

“We’re really good buddies,” said Korda of her relationship with Thompson. “We play a lot of practice rounds together, so that made today a little easier. I’m just trying to take it as a normal tournament, but it’s hard with all that’s going on.”

At a typical American Junior Golf Association event, Korda and Thompson would not have their play beamed worldwide via television. They wouldn’t have adults twice their age standing outside the gallery ropes in anticipation of an autograph. They wouldn’t be ushered to waiting national journalists for post-round interviews.

To stay grounded, they do what any other teen their age would do. They cannot drive, so they just head back home with their parents, eat some dinner, watch television, maybe text their friends and go to bed at a decent hour.

Thursday, for example, Thompson made her first appearance on the interview podium, an honor generally accorded to those who put themselves into contention. Remember, Thompson is a teen, so answers are generally void of expounding insight.

As for the autographs?

“I was surprised there were that many people in the practice rounds,” said the reigning U.S. Girls’ Junior champion. “Not really that much today, but we had to go sign my card, so … ”

Still, Korda and Thompson are young pups compared to a player like 49-year-old Juli Inkster who has as many Women’s Open appearances as they have combined years. So it’s only natural that nerves would play a role on golf’s biggest stage.

“I was so nervous, really nervous,” said the Czech Republic-born Korda who now resides in Sarasota, Fla. “The first round, it’s really important to play well. If you can have a good first round, then it makes it that much easier in the second round.”

Well, not quite around this 6,740-yard layout. Should Korda get a bit “too chatty,” as she said, in a round, her caddie – also her father - brings her back into the present.

“Yeah, my daddie caddie knows how to deal with the pressure like this, but says it’s different because you interact more with the people here,” said Korda, whose father is former professional tennis player Petr Korda, a major winner in his own right — the 1998 Australian Open. “Today I was hitting shot by shot, hole by hole. If I hit fairways, then I can hit greens. If I hit greens, then I give my shot at par. That’s pretty good around here.”

Statistically, Korda and Thompson had varying results. Korda hit 11 of 14 fairways, half her greens in regulation and took 28 putts; Thompson hit 10 fairways, 14 greens (third best in the field) and totaled 31 putts.

“I expect to do a lot better,” said Thompson of two previous missed cuts. “I mean, every year I put my goals a lot higher, so I just wanted to do well this year, so … .”

So nothing, a 71 is a fine way to start as only 11 players shot par or better, which prompted questions as to whether Thompson can contend on the weekend, not just in round one.

“I'm just going to go out there and try to shoot even [par],” said Thompson. “Pars are good out here. If I get some birdies, that would be just a bonus.”

An even bigger bonus would be winning. You know, just like any other junior event.

Stuart Hall is a freelance writer whose stories have previously appeared on uswomensopen.com.