Kelli drops off US Women’s Open leaderboard
Kelli Shean, the South African amateur who developed her game in Ernie Els’ youth program, fell out of contention Friday at the U.S. Women’s Open with an 8-over 79. She was a shot off the lead following her surprise 70 on Thursday, which Els watched on TV.
Shean, a University of Arkansas golfer who dates her caddie, never found the groove and rhythm she discovered while being one of only five to break par during the opening round.
She admittedly had trouble sleeping, getting to bed only five hours before her Friday round began at 7 a.m.
Maybe she should have slept in.
“I just couldn’t sleep — the whole thing is just so amazing,” said Shean, who played only one LPGA tournament before qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open. “Everyone’s going crazy over all this.”
Shean also has a lot more friends than she did a couple of days ago. She received scores of new Facebook friend requests, and she accepted most.
She also was surprised when some hearing-impaired fans joined her early morning gallery to encourage her. Shean has a hearing impairment.