Grace Summerhays Recaps U.S. Open Experience

Grace Summerhays continues to turn heads. Already a First Team Pac-12 All-Conference selection, Summerhays is equipped to elevate her game to another level. She will enter her junior season with Sun Devil Women's Golf after an offseason full of unforgettable moments.

Summerhays recently wrapped up an appearance at the 2023 U.S. Women's Open hosted at the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links. She was one of only 28 amateurs to earn a spot at the LPGA Major Championship. 

"This was a valuable experience for Grace," Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye remarked. "She handled the big moments and increased pressure beautifully. We are extremely proud of how she represented Sun Devil Women's Golf."

After taking a moment to reflect, Summerhays provides insight on her time at the U.S. Women's Open and updates Sun Devil Nation on what they can expect from the 2023-24 squad.

Grace Summerhays at the U.S. Open

IN HER OWN WORDS: GRACE SUMMERHAYS

Most memorable moment from the week?

One of the most memorable parts of the week was making birdies on 17 and 18 on Thursday. It was such a cool feeling having so many people out there and being able to do that on two very iconic holes. Another memorable part of the week was getting the chance to play with my brothers and dad on the Saturday before the tournament. We had the best time and it was so special to share my experience with them.

Favorite hole at Pebble Beach? Can you describe it in your own words?

Pebble is one of the few places where I truly can't pick a favorite hole. I think there were 6 holes that took my breathe away. I loved 6 hitting up the cliff right next to the water. I also loved 8 hitting down alongside the water and looking out to the beaches. I also think 17 and 18 are such cool finishing holes. Pebble is officially my favorite course!

What was it like competing with four fellow Sun Devils and did you get a chance to interact with any of them?

It was so much fun seeing the alumni out there during the week. They are all so sweet and supportive. I got the chance to play with Linn in one of my practice rounds and she couldn't have been more nice and welcoming. It was cool seeing them in a different environment from what I'm use to.

Reflect on the experience in the clubhouse and around the range when you are getting to warmup alongside golfers that you grew up idolizing. Any golfers that you got to meet that had you starstruck?

Everything at Pebble Beach feels special. So to have played such an iconic course with the best in the world was an experience I'll never forget. I didn't really meet anyone I was starstruck by, but I did warm up next to Michelle Wie one of the days which was pretty cool.

Grace Summerhays Autographs

How special was it to have your Dad caddy for you and how important was his presence throughout the tournament?

It was so much fun having my dad caddy for me. We had the best time out there! I feel like I learned a lot from him being on the bag that can help me in the future. Overall I just always have such a fun time with him and I'm so glad I got to share such a special week with one of my best friends.

How has your experience with Sun Devil Women's Golf helped prepare you for big moments like appearing at a LPGA Major Championship?

There is a unique pressure and expectation that you have on you when playing for a school with so much tradition of winning as well as playing for your Coaches and teammates. I think learning how to compete under a lot of expectations has helped me prepare for the pressure of a Major Championship.

Will having already competed in a U.S. Women's Open help you in future high pressure situations?

I think it will for sure help me in the future. The more experience I get the better. I feel like my past tournaments helped me this week and now I can use this week's experience for the future as well. I gained a lot of confidence in my game on the physical and mental side.

Do you plan on competing in any tournaments the rest of the offseason?

The only other tournament I have this summer is the North & South Amateur which is July 11-15.

How excited are you to get back to Tempe and begin preparation for the 2023-24 season?

I am super excited to get back to Tempe for my Junior season! I have learned a lot about my game this summer and feel like I've gotten better in different areas. I can't wait to get back with my team and start competing again in the fall!

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SUN DEVILS AT THE U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN
Sun Devil Women's Golf was heavily represented at the U.S. Women's Open. Grace Summerhays was joined by four Arizona State alumni in her first ever LPGA Major Championship. Tour professionals Carlota Ciganda, Azahara Munoz, Linn Grant, and Anna Nordqvist also competed at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Three Sun Devils would go on to make the cut after two rounds. A late push from Ciganda earned her a Top-20 finish. Arizona State golfers collected over $175,000 in prize money thanks to their results, as the program continues to add to the total of over $40 million earned by former players. 

T20 - Carlota Ciganda - $106,269
T33 - Azahara Munoz - $50,093
T53 - Linn Grant - $24,562

"The success of our alumni is one of the many aspects that makes this program special," Coach Farr-Kaye mentioned. "Some of the most decorated and impactful female golfers in the history of the sport have been Sun Devils. It is exciting to see that tradition continue with our current professionals continuing to enjoy so much success."

MORE ON GRACE SUMMERHAYS
SOPHOMORE (2022-23)

• Took her game to another level during a sensational sophomore season.
• First Team Pac-12 All-Conference selection.
• Finished ranked No. 56 in the country by Golfstat and No. 74 by Golfweek.
• Responsible for three Top-10 and five Top-20 finishes.
• Carded nine rounds of par or better, including two rounds in the 60s.
• Earned her second straight Top-10 finish, ending in sixth place at the Silverado Showdown.
• Shot a career-low 67 (-5) on the final day of the PING/ASU Invitational to move into the Top-10 (T-9^th).
• Tied for fourth at the Nexus Collegiate, her best finish at a three-day event. She put together back-to-back rounds under par to cap the tournament.
• Opened the Pac-12 Preview with a 68 (-5).
• Spent her winter break earning a tie for first at the Patriot All-American Golf Tournament, featuring the top collegiate players from around the country.

FRESHMAN (2021-22)

• Added an immediate boost when she joined the program in January of 2022.
• A mid-season addition that helped Arizona State climb the rankings during the Spring season.
• Wasted no time becoming a mainstay in the lineup, competing in eight of the final nine tournaments.
• Showed the moment was not too big in her NCAA Championship debut, delivering a 70 (-2) in the fourth round attempting to secure the Sun Devils a spot in Match Play.
• A big reason why Arizona State qualified for the 2022 NCAA Championship, as she finished Top-10 (T-10^th) at the Stillwater Regional thanks to three straight rounds of 73.
• Nearly cracked the Top-25 (T-26^th) in her Pac-12 Championship debut, battling rainy conditions in Eugene.
• Finished in the Top-25 at the PING/ASU Invitational (T-24^th).
• Made her Sun Devil debut at the Match in the Desert, finishing in fourth place after firing back-to-back rounds under par.

HOW TO FOLLOW
For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Women's Golf program during the offseason, follow our Twitter/ Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWGolf), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/ sundevilwgolf/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).