June 7, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Former University of Kentucky women’s golfer Mallory Blackwelder has qualified for the 2011 United States Women’s Open after an impressive showing at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Sunday.

Blackwelder fired back-to-back rounds of 7-over par 78 at the par-71 East Course at Broadmoor Golf Club. The top three competitors in the 69-player qualifier earned spots in the U.S. Women’s Open. Blackwelder’s total of 156 was one stroke better than Rachel Rohanna and Joy Trotter, and gave her the third and final qualifying spot for that event.

While playing in a U.S. Women’s Open is a nerve-wracking experience, Blackwelder gained some experience by qualifying for the Open at the same course the tournament is being held this year. The 6,940-yard course at The Broadmoor will host the U.S. Women’s Open from July 7-10.

Blackwelder, the daughter of former head coach Myra Blackwelder, played for the Wildcats from 2007-2009. The Versailles, Ky., native holds many distinctions in program history, including the lowest scoring average in a single season (75.34).

The U.S. Women’s Open features a 156-player field. Eighty-two players are fully exempt into the tournament, leaving 74 spots open for qualifiers.

Go to UKathletics.com for all Kentucky women’s golf news.