Simley H.S. junior Bella McCauley set to play Women’s U.S. Open
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As a 9th-grader, Bella McCauley won the 2019 Minnesota State H.S. Golf Tournament by a record ten strokes. Now a junior, she closed with a flurry at a local qualifying tournament to earn her latest accomplishment – playing among the greatest golfers in the world at the U.S. Open.
Click the video box on this page to watch KSTP Sports’ story on Bella McCauley’s stunning finish at the local U.S. Open qualifier and what it’s like preparing to play against the greatest golfers in the world – as well as full interviews with McCauley, her sister Reese and Simley’s golf coach Kyle Golden
The 17-year-old Simley High junior will tee it up this week at the famed Olympic Club in San Francisco in the 2021 Women’s U.S. Open. She begins play with a 4:42pm CT tee time in the first round on Thursday.
McCauley, who’s committed to the University of Minnesota for college, will not be able to defend her State High School title. Sectional qualifying for the State Tournament takes place while she’ll be out west playing in the Open.
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Simley junior Bella McCauley set to play in the Women's U.S. Open
Wayzata-grad Sarah Burnham, currently a pro on the LPGA Tour, won the same local qualifier McCauley played. Burnham begins her second career appearance at a U.S. Open at 2:45pm CT on Thursday. The 25-year-old Michigan State-grad previously played in the 2015 Open.
Burnham was the medalist at the local qualifier held at Somerset CC on May 3rd. McCauley finished second, claiming the final qualification spot by one stroke.