Reynolds Comes up Short at US Open

In the end it wasn't meant to be. Jean Reynolds' quest to become golf's National Champion for women came off the rails with a final round of 77 to finish in a tie for seventeenth. South Korea's Eun Hee JI stormed past Cristie Kerr to win the ladies' most prestigious championship.

The young lady from Newnan, nicknamed "Peanut" by her UGA sorority systems, demonstrated true grit through the first 72 holes played on the extremely difficult Saucon Valley course. The course, perhaps aided by the pressure of the moment, would prevail during Reynolds' final round.

While Reynolds failed to earn the automatic LPGA touring card that comes with a top 10 finish in the open, the Newnan, GA native currently sits atop the developmental tour's money rankings and has a great shot of earning her LPGA credentials by finishing in the top 10 earners.

To tie for seventeenth best in the world is an amazing accomplishment for the "girl next door" from Newnan. Hers is definitely the path less traveled in the ranks of professional golf. I certainly look forward to seeing more of "Peanut" on the links. Maybe next time she will be "butter".

Quotes from Reynolds

UGA's Reynolds Still in Contention for US Open

Yesterday we profiled, however briefly, Jean Reynolds and her rise to LPGA stardom via success in the US Open. As a golf fan, I casually follow the women’s circuit, but yesterday I could not turn away from the third round of the Women’s US Open. While Cristie Kerr was busy firing an even par 72 to maintain her lead and Eun Hee JI produced a two under par 70 to move into contention, NBC and the golf world affixed their eyes upon Georgia’s Jean Reynolds and her effervescent smile.

The 5’2” Bulldog from Newnan, nicknamed “Peanut” by her UGA sorority sisters, looked at home in the spotlight, moving to within one shot of the lead. In the next to last pairing, Reynolds opened par, par, and bogey, before a birdie on the par three fourth to remain two shots behind leader Cristie Kerr.

One group behind, Kerr would birdie the par five third and bogey the par three ninth, keeping the lead over Reynolds at 2 strokes. Reynolds would move to within one stroke of the Open lead with a birdie on the par three eleventh before trouble would strike. Kerr would regain command of her irons while Reynolds began to err off of the tee box. Reynolds ended the day by bogeying three of the final four holes to finish four strokes back.

Perhaps it was the pressure of them moment, maybe it was fatigue that led to the late in round lapses, but her ability to hit fairways and greens in regulation will likely keep her in contention for the 2009 US Championship. One thing is for certain, the Bulldawg Nation, near and far, will be woofing with approval as she tees off today.

In the end, Reynolds would be four strokes back, but better for the experience. Today’s final round finds Reynolds once again in the next to last pairing of golf’s biggest women’s championship. How will the 24-year-old Georgian react? Nobody knows for sure, but the girl that gave up collegiate golf so she could be a regular student and follow the football Dawgs can be sure those very same football Dawgs will be following her this Sunday.

update 2:15: Reynolds bogeyed the par 4 second to give another stroke up, now stands 5 strokes back.

Reynolds in the Hunt for US Open

Newnan’s own Jean Reynolds is making waves at the US Women’s Open. Reynolds, an UGA alumna and the leading money winner on the Duramed Futures Tour, has her sights set on an Open title. After a shaky start, Reynolds posted an opening round of 69 followed by an even par round of 72 on Friday to sit 2 shots back of leader Cristie Kerr.

A Damn Fine Dawg!

As a 5-time winner of the Georgia State Golf Association Championship, Reynolds was offered a scholarship to Georgia out of high school but preferred to live the life of a normal college student. She did join the golf team but did not travel and eventually gave it up, opting to pledge a sorority and travel abroad. Of primary focus to Reynolds was following the football team, missing but two games in her five years on campus.

In the two years since graduation, Reynolds has been on the Duramed Futures Tour, winning two tournaments and earning $73,934 to date. A victory in the Open will surely be the end of her Futures touring days and affix her on the LPGA circuit.

The future is bright for this Bulldog!

Update: now 1 stroke back, nickname: "Peanut", attitude: great!
Update2: bogeys on 15, 17 & 18 place "Peanut" 4th at +2, Kerr playing great at -2
Coverage on NBC
US Women's Open
Duramed Futures Tour