Lahinch’s Aine Donegan became an international star at last year’s US Women’s Open but she insists she’s just aiming to have fun and see where that takes her in the women’s game’s biggest major this year.
The bubbly Ennis native (22) grabbed a share of the lead during the first round at Pebble Beach 12 months ago and contended right into Saturday before finishing 45th against the world’s best professionals.
She’s earned another shot at winning the leading amateur honours in this week’s test at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania having won her qualifier at Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club in Dallas last month.
But while she’s ready to give it another rip alongside Nelly Korda, Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow, she’s keeping her expectations in check.
“My biggest goal is just to enjoy it and have fun,” Donegan said on her arrival in Pennsylvania on Monday. “I spoke about it with my coach Gary (Madden) at the qualifier and he said when you are playing your best golf, you’re just having fun, you’re not thinking about it, you’re just enjoying it. And that’s that’s the main goal for this week, just to have fun.
“I think the less expectations I set for myself, the better. I don’t try not to think about outcome. I just focus on what I want to do in the moment and stay in the present. And I think that’s something I’m really going to focus on during this week.”
Glenlo Abbey professional Madden is back on the bag for this week’s Major test where Donegan will be bidding to become only the second amateur to win the title since 1967, when Catherine Lacoste, the daughter of hall-of-fame tennis player Rene Lacoste and 1927 British Ladies Amateur champion Simone Thion de la Chaume, became the only amateur to win the US Women’s Open.
Donegan winning would be one of the biggest upsets in the history of women’s golf but she’s not in Lancaster to make up the numbers and can’t wait to test herself again.
After playing a starring role in Louisiana State University’s run to the matchplay stages of the recent NCAA D1 Women’s National Championship, her biggest worry is her energy levels.
“I’m so excited,” said Donegan, who was a brilliant fourth in strokeplay qualifying for the NCAA’s in California before LSU fell to Oregon in the first matchplay round.
“Ever since I qualified, obviously, it’s a little bit of a quicker turnaround this time compared to last year but really not much different. I went from one tournament straight to the US Open and it’s the same this year.
“I came from the National Championships in Carlsbad straight here. So two big tournaments in a row, which is kind of nice.
“So I haven’t had much time to think about it. And I’m just so happy to be here again, and the course is in absolutely perfect condition.”
She’s had a busy few days following the NCAAs and had little time to rest and recharge for her second major championship appearance.
“Rest is the big thing this week,” she said before her first nine-hole practice round.
“I tried to rest when we got home from nationals. It’s been about four days or five days since we got home but I had to pack up my whole apartment and move out. So the goal is just to get more rest.
“I think I’m going try and get nine holes in today. I was going to try to play 18, but the weather’s not looking like that’s possible, so I’ll try to get nine in and maybe 18 tomorrow and then nine on Wednesday.
“So the goal is mostly rest and then prepare myself as best I can and try and get to l know the slopes on the greens. I heard the course is quite hilly. So that’s kind of it.”
Coach Madden is key for Donegan, who is one of 21 amateurs in the field alongside her LSU teammates Ingrid Lindblad of Sweden and American Latanna Stone.
There were 28 amateurs at Pebble Beach last year but just four, including Donegan, made the cut.
This year, she’s got stiff competition for the leading amateur honours with world number one Lindblad and Augusta National Women’s Amateur winner Lottie Woad (fourth) among the nine members of the World Amateur Golf Ranking’s top 50 in action.
“Gary has coached me since I was nine,” Donegan said. “He was on my bag last year as well and he was actually on the bag when I qualified, so it’s great to have a familiar face on the bag.
“He’s someone who I can bounce things off and someone who I know really well so it’s great.”
Donegan has been drawn with American Yealimi Noh and South Korea’s So Mi Lee for the first two rounds of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania.
The Lahinch star (22) goes off the first on Thursday at 12:29 pm Irishtime and from the 10th on Friday at 6:14 pm.
Leona Maguire is paired with her Swedish Solheim Cup teammate Madelene Sagstrom and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit from the first on Thursday at 1:13 pm and the 10th at 6:58 pm on Friday.
Stephanie Meadow, who secured a late call-up from the alternate list on Monday, joins Germany’s Esther Henseleit and South Korea’s Mi Hyang Lee from the first at 7:31 pm on Thursday (Irish time) before going off the 10th at 1:46 pm Irishtime on Friday.
Meanwhile, US superstar Lexi Thompson confirmed yesterday she will retire at the end of the season.
A 15-time winner, Thompson (29) will be bidding this week to add a second major to her lone triumph in the 2014 Chevron Championship, then called the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
“While it is never easy to say goodbye, it is indeed time,” Thompson said on Instagram.
“At the end of 2024, I will be stepping away from a full professional golf schedule.”
While she won on the Ladies European Tour in 2022, the big-hitting American has gone almost five years without an LPGA win and battled injury.
“I’m excited to enjoy the remainder of the year as there are still goals I want to accomplish,” she added. “I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life, time with family, friends, and my trusted companion, Leo.
“I will always look for ways to contribute to the sport and inspire the next generation of golfers.”
