Follow Emily Collins at the U.S. Women's Open

July 6, 2011

NORMAN, Okla. -- University of Oklahoma sophomore golfer Emily Collins competes at the 2011 U.S. Women's Open this week at the Broadmoor East Course in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Collins was one of three golfers who qualified in May for the U.S. Women's Open at the sectional qualifier at the 6,425-yard, par-71 Prestonwood Country Club in Plano, Texas. The U.S. Women's Open begins first-round play on Thursday, July 7.

While at the U.S. Open, Collins is providing Sooner fans with a day-by-day diary of her time on and off the course. Check back each day this week to read her updates.

Emily's U.S. Women's Open Diary

Friday, July 8
I woke up at 5:15 and got to the range around 5:55. I warmed up and was in the van ready to go to the 10th tee for my 7:45 starting time.

I was pretty nervous over that first shot, but I hit it right down the middle! I started strong with three straight pars and then had a tough stretch of holes after that.

Throughout the day, I made some great putts and some fun birdies so it made it fun for me, even through my worst shots/holes.

On my 33rd hole of the long day, the horns blew...a rain delay. All the players and caddies got hurded to the buses on the course.

We were crammed in a bus for about an hour before the storm passed and we went back out on the course at 7:30 p.m.

I finished five over for those last four holes. I was pretty exhausted and lost my focus after the bus experience.

I will miss the cut unfortunately, but I still had a great time and am staying here until Sunday to watch and practice when I can. I will never forget this week and want to thank everyone for all their support!

BOOMER SOONER!

Thursday, July 7
I tried to sleep in until 8:30 but I woke up before that because I was so excited for the big day to start!

I took my time getting ready and painted my nails before heading to eat a big breakfast. After breakfast, I listened to music and chilled around the players' locker room before beginning my warm-up at about 11:15.

First, I got loose by just hitting some wedge shots. Then I putted and hit bunker shots before doing my routine on the range. Usually I pick either evens or odds for my clubs. This morning, I hit evens. So I hit pitching wedge, 8-iron, 6-iron, hybrid, 3-wood, and driver.

After I warmed up, I took the shuttle to the No. 10 tee. Just as I was getting to the tee box, I heard a loud rumble behind me...then came the storms. Disappointed, I headed to the shuttle buses to take us back to the clubhouse to wait for the bad weather to pass. But it never did.

Once they finally announced that play was canceled for the day, I decided to kill some time and do something productive, so I worked out. Then I went to dinner with some close friends who are in town and came back to get ready for bed. An early wake-up call tomorrow and a long day ahead! I tee off at 7:45 and am scheduled to play 36 holes.

Wednesday, July 6
I ate breakfast with my mom and had a banana and some cereal. After breakfast I practiced for a little while before my 8 a.m. tee time.

I played a good 18 holes and hope that I'm now ready for the real rounds start! After my round, I signed some autographs and took some pictures with some fans...it's so weird that I actually have fans!

For lunch I ate a turkey sandwich and a salad at the players' lunch buffet with my mom and my brother. After lunch, I went to the airport to pick up my good family friend and brought him back to the hotel. I did a light work out and then went to dinner after.

My two good friends from high school, Peyton and Ann, came to visit me at the hotel. I'm really excited that they'll be at the rounds on Thursday and Friday as well.

I'm so excited to have so many good friends and family members here and am so excited for the real rounds to start. It should be fun!

Tuesday, July 5
On Tuesday I got to sleep in a little bit and woke up around 8:30. I went to breakfast and had some scrambled eggs, sausage, and fruit. It was delicious!

I then went out to putt and chip (have to focus on the important stuff first). After warming up on the green I went to the range and got loose.

It was about lunch time so I went in and had a small lunch before heading to the 10th tee. I teed off at 1 p.m. with Mariel Galdiano, a 13-year-old girl from Hawaii. She was really nice and is the third youngest player to ever qualify. Pretty impressive!

Mariel quit after nine holes but I continued to play the front nine. I stopped after hole No. 4 (my thirteenth hole) because I was so tired.

After a full day of practice at the range and on the course, I came back to relax and went straight to dinner. My final practice round is tomorrow.

Monday, July 4 | Photo Gallery
I woke up at 5:30, early morning! I ate a light breakfast (some raisin bran and orange juice) before I hit a few balls at the range. I then headed to the tee for my 7 a.m. tee time with Michelle Wie, Morgan Pressel, and Nicole Hage...all LPGA golfers! They were super friendly all day and I had so much fun playing with them!

I signed my first autograph on the second hole and it continued the rest of the day. The fans probably didn't even know who I was but it was still cool. By the 18th hole our group had at least 300 people following us.

My best shot of the practice round came on No. 17. I hit my approach shot to about a foot from the pin for birdie.

After the round I signed some more autographs and did an interview with about four reporters.

I relaxed and then worked out before dinner. We went to a small Italian place and I had some awesome pizza.

The Fourth of July fireworks started around 9:30 so I watched those before going to bed. I went to bed early, it was a long day!

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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