The U.S. Women's Open is the country's national championship, and 13 AJGA members will be among the 156 players vying for top honors at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa., July 6-12, 2009. Of the 13 juniors that are set to play, eight are competing at this week's Rolex Girls Junior Championship in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
Six of the juniors will be making repeat appearances at the U.S. Women's Open. Jessica Korda of Bradenton, Fla., earned a return trip by virtue of her tie for 19th place in last year's Open.
Kimberly Kim of Pahoa, Hawaii, earned medalist honors at the sectional qualifier in Santa Cruz, Calif., and will compete in the U.S. Women's Open for the third consecutive year.
Tiffany Lua of Rowland Heights, Calif., will also make her third Open appearance. In 2008, Lua was one of seven amateurs to make the 36-hole cut.
Kristen Park of Buena Park, Calif., Alexis Thompson of Coral Springs, Fla., and Victoria Tanco of Bradenton, Fla., are the other three players making repeat appearances.
Lindy Duncan of Davie, Fla., Ani Gulugian of Irvine, Calif., Alison Lee of Valencia, Calif., Brittany Altomare of Shrewsbury, Mass., Michelle Shin of Cape Coral, Fla., Mariko Tumangan of San Jose, Calif., and Yueer Cindy Feng of Orlando, Fla., are the final six AJGA members who qualified via sectional qualifying.
Since 2006, AJGA juniors have qualified for the U.S. Women's Open a total of 45 times.