Morgan finds U.S. Women’s Open qualifier beneficial

By LIAM BELAN

lbelan@yourmvi.com

The final summer before college golf began for Mya Morgan earlier this week when the Elizabeth Forward senior took her talents to Shannopin Country Club for U.S. Women’s Open qualifying.

In her first competitive outing of the season, the Warrior played alongside professional and amateur golfers in the qualifying process, finishing 16-over after two rounds.

Only the top three golfers from those two days qualified for the US Women’s Open, and they were all professionals or amateurs in Melanie Green (pro, -8), Michelle Xing (amateur, -2) and Vanessa Borovilos (amateur, -2).

For Morgan, the experience of playing alongside players of such a high level was beneficial.

“Where I’m at right now, it is a complete honor to be able to play with other D1 athletes and pros, and being able to compete in tough situations like that,” Morgan said. “It really motivates me to become better mentally, physically, and grow my game so that one day I can hopefully be as good as them and be on their level.”

Morgan shot a 78 during the first round and turned in an 82 on the second day.

With it being her first competitive outing of the summer season, the Central Michigan golf commit was fairly satisfied with her display.

“I thought I had a pretty strong performance, but there were some unlucky bounces,” Morgan said. “For it being the first tournament of the year, I think that the season is looking very bright. I would say this was my best opening performance overall, but there’s still a few tweaks and gameplan changes to make. Overall, I’m very happy with how I played and I’m looking forward to the season.”

This summer will mark the last events that she has at the junior level before making the next step to the collegiate level at Central Michigan.

The two-time WPIAL champ is eager to get on campus and get started.

“I am chomping at the bit to get started,” Morgan said. “I can’t wait to go up to Central Michigan. All of my teammates are lovely and I can’t wait to spend the next couple of years with them.”

First, she’ll enjoy a gauntlet of events over the next few months.

“It’s kind of bittersweet, because this was my first, last tournament as a junior player,” Morgan said of the U.S. Women’s Open qualifying event.

“Especially having my dad (Tony Morgan) on the bag, him caddying for me for 10 to 12 years now. It’s kind of a sad feeling, but exciting because I get to open a new chapter of my life, being able to compete collegiately.

“But just having that kind of feeling of, ‘Man, this is kind of like my last final tournament as a junior.’ And it happened to be the U.S. Open qualifier. That’s a big highlight of this year so far, and knowing that all the work that I put in over the winter with my coach, Dave Kuhn, really helped me be able to have as strong as a performance that I did and being able to only tweak a few things feels really good in the overall aspect of Tuesday.”

The calendar is chock full of events for Morgan over the next few months.

In early June, she’ll play in the U.S. Girls Junior Championship qualifiers at Shannopin once again. On June 24, she’ll take part in the U.S. Women’s Amateur and at the end of the month she has the State Junior Championship.

Morgan will also play in WPGA match play at the beginning of July as well as either the High School National Championship or the U.S. Girls Junior Championship, depending on if she qualifies because they’re the same days.

Between all that is team Pennsylvania workshops as well to get to know her team better. Needless to say, she’ll be busy on the course over the next few months.

Central Michigan won’t have to worry about Morgan coming in rusty.

Elizabeth Forward’s Mya Morgan, the defending state champion, walks with her caddy, her dad Tony, on the fairway of Shannopin Country Club during a U.S. Women’s Open qualifier this week.

Mike Darnay

/ MVI Sports