Former U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Gabriela Ruffels will make her third U.S. Women’s Open appearance this summer at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Ruffels, 23, currently leads the Epson Tour money list after winning her second event of the season earlier this month in record fashion.
The former USC star finished at 7 under over 36 holes to top the qualifying field on Monday at The Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam, British Columbia. Ruffels tied for 13th at the 2020 USWO.
“I love USGA events, especially at Pebble it’s going to be really historic and unique,” Ruffels told Golf Canada. “I love Pebble, it’s one of my favorite places, so being able to go this year is just amazing.”
After a competitive 36-holes, Gabriela Ruffels of Indian Wells, California and Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. have earned direct exemptions into the 2023 U.S. Women’s Openhttps://t.co/80mkPuGV2x
— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) May 16, 2023
Lauren Kim, 17, of Surrey, British Columbia, finished at 5 under to take the second spot. Both Kim and Ruffels competed at the Women’s Open at Pine Needles last year. Kim heads to the University of Texas in the fall.
A number of LPGA players teed it up at the Echo Lake qualifier in Westfield, New Jersey. LPGA winners Jenny Shin and Annie Park qualified, as did Haeji Kang and rookie Natthakritta Vongtaveelap.
Next stop
Pebble Beach
Congratulations to @AlabamaWGolf teammates Sarah Edwards (medalist) and Benedetta Moresco on punching their
to the #USWomensOpen this summer at today’s qualifier at Druid Hills GC!https://t.co/N1T3Lx8XjQ pic.twitter.com/7FEhOspEiY
— Georgia State Golf Association (@GSGA) May 16, 2023
In Georgia, it was an Alabama sweep at Druid Hills Golf Club as amateurs Sarah Edwards and Benedetta Moresco qualified. Edwards, a senior from Jay, Florida, won the qualifier with rounds of 69-68. Italy’s Moresco finished one shot back.