FAYETTEVILLE — A handful of Arkansas Razorbacks past and present will shoot for the program’s first U.S. Women’s Open title this week at Shoal Creek Country Club in suburban Birmingham, Ala.
Three golfers — Kaylee Benton, Maria Fassi and Dylan Kim — who led the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville to a No. 2 ranking, the program’s first SEC championship and a victory at the NCAA Austin Regional will be in the field.
LPGA mainstays Stacy Lewis and Gaby Lopez are the ex-Razorbacks teeing off today at the 6,689-yard, par-72 Shoal Creek course, which is hosting the Open for the first time.
Kim and Benton tied for first at the U.S. Open qualifying event at Las Colinas Country Club in Irving, Texas, while Fassi, a seven-time winner for the Razorbacks this season, came in second in qualifying at The Deerwood Country Club in Houston.
Lewis has the top finish at a U.S. Open among former Arkansas players with a second-place showing in 2014, and she tied for third twice (2008, 2015).
Lopez will get things started today with a 7:02 tee time, followed by Fassi at 7:13, Lewis at 7:35, Benton at 8:52 and Kim at 2:21 p.m.
In Friday’s second round, Kim will have the only morning tee time at 8:41 a.m., followed by Lopez at 12:42 p.m., Fassi at 12:53, Lewis at 1:15 and Benton at 2:32.