Waiakea High's Wilson accepts late invitation
By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer
Suddenly, Hilo's Amanda Wilson is Kim Saiki's biggest fan.
Saiki's first LPGA victory Sunday, in her 272nd tournament, gave her an exempt spot in this week's U.S. Women's Open. It also opened up a place in the Open field and the U.S. Golf Association called Wilson Sunday to invite her to take it.
Wilson
Two weeks ago, Wilson, 16, was first alternate at Hawai'i's inaugural U.S. Open sectional. She finished second behind California pro Ria Quiazon.
"I was like OK, I'll wait until next year," Wilson said yesterday from Massachusetts. "An alternate from Hawai'i ...I don't think so."
The USGA is full of surprises. First, it handed Hono-lulu 14-year-old Michelle Wie an exemption into the Open. Now Wilson, who will be a senior at Waiakea in the fall, is preparing to tee off tomorrow afternoon with Yvonne Cox and Chiharu Yamaguchi.
The USGA caught Wilson in Pennsylvania, where she was preparing for a U.S. Girls Junior qualifier. By playing in the U.S. Women's Open, Wilson automatically qualifies for the U.S. Girls, next month in Texas, and the U.S. Women's Amateur, in August in Pennsylvania.
Wilson got her first look at the Orchards Golf Club, in South Hadley, yesterday. She played a practice round on the 6,473-yard, par-71 course.
"She told me the course is long, but she hit every fairway," said Mauna Kea pro Kevin Hayashi, Wilson's teacher. "That's her strength — she really hits it straight, so this course is suited for her."
Wilson hit it well enough in May to win the Jennie K. Invitational. Her 5-under-par 211 total shattered the scoring record in the 54-year-old tournament by five shots.
Playing in her first professional tournament will be a bit different, Wilson admits. Particularly this professional tournament, which has the biggest purse ($3.1 million) of any LPGA event and is considered the most prestigious title in women's golf.
Wilson's goal is to "make the cut." Her game plan is to hit as many fairways and greens as possible and, "most important," make the putts. Hayashi advised her to spend most of her practice time in bunkers and on greens, with a focus on putts from 10 feet in.
"My fairway hitting is usually good, it's just shots to the green and putting that has to be on," Wilson said. "I can't hit it as long as most of the women so I'm farther back and hitting longer irons into the green. They have to be good, and my putting has to be good."
Saiki, whose mother Florence is a 1952 McKinley High School graduate, became the second-oldest first-time winner in LPGA history Sunday. At 38 years, 5 months and 3 days, she was 2 years younger than Fay Crocker, when she won in 1955.
Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8043
