How the U.S. Women's Open at Pine Needles changed Morgan Pressel's life
Morgan Pressel had two different experiences at Pine Needles in the early 2000s.
It’s been 21 years since Pressel, 34, made history as a 12-year-old in 2001 by qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open. Six years later, she won a major as an 18-year-old and was in contention on championship Sunday at Pine Needles.
“They were both very special experiences for me,” said Pressel, who makes her return to Southern Pines this week as a commentator for NBC Sports.
“Playing in 2001, that was really my first opportunity. I had only been playing golf for four years. … So to be out there as a young kid – and I remember there being rain delays and I didn’t want to leave the locker room because – I was just so starstruck being just even in the same room as all of these people that I had watched on TV.”
Pressel described her U.S. Women’s Open debut as “life-changing.” At the time, she was the youngest to ever qualify for the tournament.
“That was the moment where I decided that this is what I wanted to do,” Pressel added.
“I’m going to do everything that I can to play golf for a living, and that really was the moment where it really became my dream to play on the LPGA Tour."
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In 2007, Pressel was in the mix Sunday as part of the final group at the Open.
Ultimately, she shot a final-round 77 and Cristie Kerr raised the trophy.
“I was right there in contention coming down the stretch,” Pressel said.
“To watch my friend Cristie (Kerr) win, Lorena (Ochoa), of course, just doing Lorena things, playing incredible golf. Definitely disappointing for me. I’d say it took me a little bit of time to kind of collect myself and get over that one.”
Pressel added another LPGA Tour win in 2008 and earned $6 million in her career. She joined NBC and Golf Channel as analyst and on-course reporter in 2021.
Even as she takes in the golf from a different view this week, Pressel will no doubt have memories of her first two trips to Southern Pines on her mind.
"It’s just a really special place and I’m excited to go back," she said
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Morgan Pressel returns to U.S. Women's Open at Pine Needles
