by Jeff Skinner
Sebonack Golf Club showed just how tough it can be today. With USGA conditions and a strong wind all day the ladies of the 68th U.S. Women’s Open were left shaking their heads as birdies were few and very far between. Inbee Park has a four stroke lead and looks to be ready to take a victory lap on Sunday and win her record third straight major championship.
I spent some time walking the demanding Sebonack layout on a sun splashed day that may have had more than a few women wising they had hit the beach instead. Here’s just a few things that went on at Sebonack…some I witnessed, some I just heard about.
Jessica Korda fired her caddy right on the ninth hole. Their relationship has been touchy of late and Korda felt she needed a change…right there, in the middle of the round. She had her boyfriend on the bag the rest of the round and after an opening 40 on the front she carded a 36 on the back. I guess it worked.
Even more shocking than that bit of drama is the fact that Inbee Park actually missed a putt today. And she looked to be in a mini slump when she bogeyed three straight holes from 11-13. But of course she bounced back with three birdies in her last five holes. So much for “opening the door.”
How tough was Sebonack today? Really tough…U.S. Open tough. There was only one sub-par round from all of the 68 players that made the cut. Want to guess? Inbee Park’s 71 of course.
That USGA is one tough organization to work for. USGA President Glen Nager was pulling double duty today. He was a walking rules official on the course.
Inbee Park Leads by 4
I had a quick chat with Stacy Lewis’ dad as we followed her around the course. He’s as nice as Stacy is.
Stacy’s group of Azahara Munoz and Dewi Clare Schreefel were put on the clock after falling out of position. It seemed to affect Stacy’s game. Munoz is a very slow player and it’s unfair the entire group is at risk for the actions of one slow player.
Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani showed up at Sebonack to take in the wonderful view from the clubhouse.
Sebonack visionary and owner, Michael Pascucci was out and about today touring his masterpiece and watching the women grind around his baby.
Michelle Wie had one more hole to play this morning to finish her second round and officially miss the cut. But she suddenly got ill and withdrew. It can go from bad to worse.
I’ve found the women’s version of Phil Mickelson and Bones Mackay. It’s Paula Creamer and her man Colin Cann. Man oh man…can they go on and on about it. The wind, the green, the lie, the angle, the bunker…anything and everything.
Sebonack Golf Course ranks as number 7 on the Golf Week 100 Best Modern Courses. And I can understand why. It looks like it has been there for 100 years and has a great mix of links like features. But this isn’t any old links course where sheep roam the fairway and the gorse is left to its own devices. Sebonack is a manicured, wonderland of a golf course and I can’t begin to imagine what the maintenance budget is.
So far it has been a great Women’s Open and I bet Mike Davis and crew won’t take too long to come back to Sebonack.
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