Hey guys! How has everyone's summer been so far?! Mine has been pretty busy but that's how I like it!
Now that the season is in full swing, I have been working hard on my game and have seen some drastic improvements in my short game - especially my putting!
I have only played in one LPGA tournament so far this season, and have played the majority of the season on the Symetra Tour.
I recently got into my first LPGA event of the season, which was the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic in Waterloo, Ontario. I had gone up there to do the Monday qualifier. I played well in the qualifier, but ended up getting 3rd and missing getting in by one shot. I noticed that I was 4th on the alternate list as of Monday and had asked a rules official if she thought my chances of getting in were good or not. Since I hadn't had any real concrete plans for that week if I had not gotten into the tournament, I just decided to stick around anyway. That decision proved to be the right one! I went and played a practice round on Tuesday, and was bumped up to 2nd on the alternate list by the end of the day. When I woke up on Wednesday morning, I checked and had moved to the top of the list. I decided to head to the course, and right as I was pulling up I got a text message from my mom saying that I had gotten in! She was right! I went and registered and then stayed around to practice for the afternoon!
For someone playing their first LPGA event of the season, I got thrown into a pretty incredible and intimidating group! Since Cristie Kerr withdrew, I took her spot, which meant I was playing with Stacy Lewis and Ai Miyazato.
To say that I was nervous on the first tee would be an understatement. I was more than nervous, but somehow hit a great drive and eventually the nerves settled down. Both girls were amazing to play with and were so nice!
I didn't play my best in Waterloo, but had one of the best experiences anyone could have had out there! The fans at the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic were unreal, and as a Canadian playing out there, they were incredible!! It didn't matter if I was at the top of the leaderboard or at the bottom - they all treated me like I was a superstar and it was truly amazing! I already can't wait to go back!
With just missing out on the U.S. Women's Open, I am taking a little break from tournaments for a few weeks and trying to stay cool in this hot summer heat! I will be back at it at the end of the month to start up some Symetra Tour events again and hopefully I will get into a few more LPGA events!
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Stay cool out there in this crazy, crazy heat!
Kirby Dreher
Topics: Rookie Blog, Dreher, Kirby
