Wood Punches Ticket to U.S. Women's Open

NORMAN – University of Oklahoma women's golfer Hannah Wood was one of two golfers who qualified to participate in the 71st U.S. Women's Open at the section qualifier at the par-71, 6,564-yard Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Highlands Ranch, Colo., native punched her ticket to the prestigious tournament after finishing the event with a 143 (+1), including a 69 (-2) on her second round. Wood shared second place and went to a four-hole playoff to defeat Oklahoma State's Chih-Min Chen and Alabama signee Kristen Gillman to clench the final of two spots to the Open.

“I can't even put into words how excited I am to be playing in this,” Wood said. “I've worked my whole life to play in the Open and to finally say that I made it is more than a dream come true. The blood, sweat and tears throughout my golf career so far were more than worth it and I couldn't be more excited to get out there and prepare even harder for this event.”

Wood, who is on pace to tally the best career-scoring average in OU program history, becomes just the third Sooner to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open while still in college, joining Emily Collins (2011) and Isabelle Blais Beisiegel (1998).

“I grew up following these women on TV and to actually have a chance to play with them is incredible,” Wood said. “It will be a great test of golf considering its one of the hardest tournaments in terms of course conditions and set up, but I'm more than willing to accept the challenge.”

The U.S. Women's Open will take place July 4-10 at the par-72, 6,762-yard CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, Calif.