Cingular Wireless Arizona Open
When: Today through Saturday
Where: Troon Country Club in Scottsdale,
25000 N. Windy Walk Drive (east of Pima Road)
Format: 54 holes of medal play with a 36-hole cut
Purse: $100,000; $20,000 to the winner
Pairings: Visit southwest.pga.com
Taylore Karle is guaranteed to have a Michelle Wie-like presence this week at the Cingular Wireless Arizona Open, even if Wie’s ground-breaking presence in the world of men’s golf is the furthest thing from the 15-year-old Karle’s mind.
“Not at all,’’ said Karle when asked if she was following the Wie road.
“I’m just trying to build experience. Like (in January), when I attempted to qualify for the FBR Open.’’
That’s right, Karle shot a very respectable 74 in that Monday qualifier for the local PGA Tour event, which came up a little short of the number needed. But she’s in the Arizona Open -- only the second female ever accomplish such a feat in the 61 years of the tournament -- after qualifying with a 75 two weeks ago at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale..
The competition and course will go up several notches for Karle beginning today, when the tournament starts its 54-hole run at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale. The field includes 133 pros and 34 other amateurs, and Troon will be stretched to its limit of 7,071 yards.
How will Karle fare against pros like Ricky Barnes, Chez Reavie, Brett Upper, Ryan Hogue, Tom Kalinowski and defending champ Steve Schneiter? Certainly, she doesn’t lack confidence in this $100,000 event that pays $20,000 to the winner.
“My attitude is my strength; I hate to lose,’’ said Karle, a sophomore at Notre Dame Academy and the reigning Class 4-A high school champ.
“But when you play in something like (the Arizona Open), well, a more realistic goal would be to make the (36-hole) cut.’’
That goal eluded Carolyn McMullen in 1996, when the current head pro at Rancho Manana Golf Club in Cave Creek became the first female to ever play in the Arizona Open. But Karle probably has a lot more game, as evidenced by her performance in last week’s Junior Solheim Cup, and her recent victory in the PING Phoenix Junior.
Karle is one of five teen-agers playing in the Arizona Open. The other youngsters, who are all from Scottsdale, include Karle’s brother, Austyn, Philip Francis, Braxton Marquez and Ben Choe. Of that group of kids, Francis would seem to have the best chance to vie for the title.
“I’ve played in this so many times, I don’t really need a practice round. I just love Troon,’’ said Francis, 16, who will be playing in his fourth Arizona Open.
Francis, the current top-ranked junior boys player in the U.S., was a 13-year-old in eighth grade at Copper Ridge Middle School when he played in his first Arizona Open. And he surprised everyone by making the cut and finishing “around 50 th despite an 81 in the last round.’’
“Troon is tight, but I’ve been hitting my driver straight and long, and if I can make some putts, well, it would really be nice (to win),’’ he said.
Asked if Taylore Karle will be competitive in her first start against the big boys, Francis politely deferred.
“She’s a very confident player, that’s for sure,’’ he said. |
