Memphis' Heck, 15, makes U.S. Women's Open cut
Memphis' Rachel Heck makes U.S. Open cut with a 2-over 146 after two rounds.
Memphis' Heck, 15, makes U.S. Women's Open cut Memphis' Rachel Heck makes U.S. Open cut with a 2-over 146 after two rounds. Check out this story on commercialappeal.com: http://memne.ws/2usYQ7S
John Varlas, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee Published 8:08 p.m. CT July 14, 2017
Rachel Heck tees off on the eighth hole during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Trump National Golf Club-New Jersey on July 14, 2017.(Photo: Eric Sucar-USA TODAY Sports)
Rachel Heck is staying the weekend.
Heck — the St. Agnes sophomore playing in her first tournament against the pros — is at 2-over 146 at the U.S. Women's Open in Bedingfield, N.J., just under the cut line of 3-over.
At 15, she's the youngest competitor in the field. She began the day three strokes off the lead at 3-under after finishing just 12 holes Thursday because of a weather delay. She finished her first round at even-par 72, then shot a 2-over 74 in the second round.
And even though she ran into some troublesome holes, she displayed the poise and skill of a veteran as she navigated her way through Trump National.
More: At 15, Memphis golfing phenom heads to U.S. Women's Open
The USA Today high school girls golfer of the year got back to 3-under in the second round after birdieing the 533-yard par-5 No. 8. But she immediately gave back all three strokes with a triple bogey on No. 9.
Heck battled back to 1-under with a birdie on the 341-yard par-4 No. 12 but bogeyed three of her final six holes. She played 24 holes on Friday.
Former University of Memphis standout Marissa Steen was a 5-under at one point Friday before tailing off to finish at 1-under. The Ohioan ran into trouble on her final three holes as she bogeyed No. 7, doubled-bogeyed No. 8 and bogeyed No. 9.
China's Shanshan Feng leads at 8-under.
Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas
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