Amari Avery Among 7 Trojans Set For U.S. Women’s Open

Women’s Golf | July 05, 2023

Seven Trojans, including rising junior All-American Amari Avery, will tee off in this week’s 2023 U.S. Women’s Open, starting Thursday (July 6) at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links.

USC’s set of seven golfers in the 156-woman field includes, alphabetically, Avery, Allisen Corpuz (at USC from 2017-21), Amelia Garvey (2018-21), Jill McGill (1991-94), Annie Park (2013-15), Gabriela Ruffels (2018-20) and Lizette Salas (2008-2011).

Live coverage on July 6-7 will air on Peacock (1-3 p.m. PT) and USA Network (3-8 p.m.). The event will air live on NBC and Peacock from 12-6 p.m. July 8-9.

Avery, Garvey, Ruffels and Park earned their spots through U.S. Open qualifying. McGill, a former longtime LPGA veteran, earned an exemption after winning the 2022 U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

Corpuz and Salas earned exemptions thanks to being in the top 75 of the Rolex Rankings as of May 3.

Avery will be competing in the U.S. Open for the second time after debuting in 2021, where she missed the cut. She earned her berth this year by capturing medalist honors at the Rancho Santa Fe (Calif.) Golf Club qualifying.

Salas is making her impressive 14th appearance at the U.S. Open (2010-23), all in a row. Just as impressive, she has made the cut in 11 of 13 starts, including finishing with five top 20s. Her best finish was a tie for 14th in 2015. She tied for 34th in 2022.

This is Corpuz’s fifth U.S. Open (2016-18-20-22-23). She made the cut for the first time last year, tying for 24th.

Park is in her sixth U.S. Open (2012-13-19-20-22-23). She also made her first cut in 2022, tying for 67th.

This is Ruffels’ fourth U.S. Open (2019-20-22-23). She tied for 13th in 2020 in the only cut she’s made. Ruffels is the currently money leader on the Epson Tour with two victories this season.

Garvey is in her third U.S. Open (2020-21) and is looking to make her first cut. Garvey survived a 4-for-2 playoff at her qualifier to earn her spot.

McGill will be making her 16th U.S. Open start and her first since 2010. She had made the cut six times, her top finish a tie for 12th at the 2002 U.S. Open. She last made the cut in 2004. At 51, she is the second-oldest woman in the field. Three-time winner Annika Sorenstam is 52.

Former…