Senior Women's Open: Two amateurs sit in the top five after round one
August 24, 2023 | by Justin Golba of AmateurGolf.com
see also: Kathy Hartwiger, View results for U.S. Senior Women's Open, Barton Hills Country Club
Kathy Hartwiger and Sue Wooster both got off to excellent starts at Waverly Country Club.
After the first round of the U.S. Senior Women's Open at Waverly Country Club in Portland, Ore., amateurs Kathy Hartwiger of Pinehurst, N.C., and Sue Wooster of Australia are both in the top five of the leaderboard.
Hartwiger made three birdies and one bogey in the first round, finishing with a round of 2-under 70, and is currently T2 with Tammie Green.
Sue Wooster is in solo fifth place after her round of 1-under 71.
"I got off to a great start, (birding No. 1), and then for me, I sort of felt like this was easier than some of the amateur events because, for me, this is fun, and I don't have a lot of expectations, and I felt more settled on the first day than I normally do," Hartwiger said about her first round.
Hartwiger played a practice round with Annika Sorenstam.
Her husband, Chris, is her caddie and is also an agronomist for the USGA.
"For me, he is great because he knows my game," Hartwiger said. "There were three holes on the front nine I would have hit more club, and he was right. That was great."
Hartwiger said her first round does not change her expectations for herself this week.
"I am going to try for it not to change," Hartwiger said. "Ultimately, again, this is good. I am going to try to keep it where it is, and I know myself enough to know if I press too much, it won't be as good or as fun."
Hartwiger added, "At the end of the day, I am going to do my plan, and as long as I do my plan, no matter what the outcome is, I will be happy."
Wooster made three birdies and two bogeys. All of her birdies came on the par-5s.
Wooster finished runner-up at the 2022 U.S. Senior Women's Amateur.
Hartwiger made three birdies and one bogey in the first round, finishing with a round of 2-under 70, and is currently T2 with Tammie Green.
Sue Wooster is in solo fifth place after her round of 1-under 71.
"I got off to a great start, (birding No. 1), and then for me, I sort of felt like this was easier than some of the amateur events because, for me, this is fun, and I don't have a lot of expectations, and I felt more settled on the first day than I normally do," Hartwiger said about her first round.
Her husband, Chris, is her caddie and is also an agronomist for the USGA.
"For me, he is great because he knows my game," Hartwiger said. "There were three holes on the front nine I would have hit more club, and he was right. That was great."
Hartwiger said her first round does not change her expectations for herself this week.
"I am going to try for it not to change," Hartwiger said. "Ultimately, again, this is good. I am going to try to keep it where it is, and I know myself enough to know if I press too much, it won't be as good or as fun."
Hartwiger added, "At the end of the day, I am going to do my plan, and as long as I do my plan, no matter what the outcome is, I will be happy."
Wooster made three birdies and two bogeys. All of her birdies came on the par-5s.
Wooster finished runner-up at the 2022 U.S. Senior Women's Amateur.
About the U.S. Senior Women's Open
The U.S. Senior Women's Open is one of 14 national championships conducted by the USGA. The event is open to any female age 50 and over who has a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 7.4.
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