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Mehaffey misses out in US Women's Open qualifier

Olivia Mehaffey shows of her Low-Am medal after finishing tied third in the US Women's Open Sectional Qualifier in Arizona on Monday, leaving her out shot outside the qualifying places.

Olivia Mehaffey was gutted to miss out by a shot on a  spot in next month's US Women's Open at Shoal Creek.

With just two places up for grabs, the Royal County Down Ladies' and Arizona State fired five birdies in a five-under 67 in her Sectional Qualifier at Arizona Country Club to take the first round lead

But she could only manage two birdies and two bogeys in an afternoon 72 and ended up tied for third with  Heeyoung Park, one stroke behind Tiger Woods' niece Cheyenne Woods, who shot two 69s, and Italy's Guilia Molinaro (and Arizona State graduate) who stormed past the Banbridge star when she carded a second round 66.

Scores

Leona and Lis Maguire at their Duke graduation last week

"Pretty gutting missing the US Open by one stroke but I’m proud of how I played today taking low Am and 1st alternate spot with scores of 67 and 72," Mehaffey posted on Instagram. "Thank you to @karsty1210 for being the best caddy, you are awesome. Tomorrow ✈️ Nationals."

Mehaffey (20) was referring to next weekend's NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championships (May 18-23) at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where Arizona State will be defending the title.

She will be joined there by Duke University's Leona and Lisa Maguire, who graduated last week and will be chasing the two spots up for grabs in US Women's Open Sectional Qualifying at Bermuda Run C.C in North Carolina today.

Lisa is off first with California's Michelle Piyapattra and Texan Samantha Vodry while Leona tees it up with Scotland's Kylie Henry and China's Siyun Liu. Pairings