By Rich Chrampanis
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Just one week ago, Holmdel freshman Megha Ganne was contending for a New Jersey high school golf championship finishing in a tie for third. That’s a pretty big stage for a 15-year-old, but it pales in comparison to her next tournament. Ganne is in the field for the U.S. Women’s Open at the Country Club of Charleston after winning a 36-hole sectional qualifier in New Jersey.
“It’s sinking in very slowly,” Ganne said. “I feel like I’m a spectator here and not a player, but I can’t wait to play.”
Ganne plays with great poise which is a big reason she’s earned her spot among the world’s best, but she was understandably starstruck prior to her practice round Monday with Lexi Thompson, the current No. 7 golfer in the world.
“It’s crazy. I see her on TV all the time,” Ganne said. “I don’t know what I’m going to say to her. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to talk to her. It’s going to be unbelievable.”
Thompson can certainly impart some wisdom to Megan. As a 12-year-old, she was the youngest player to ever compete in a U.S. Women’s Open. Megha is the second youngest player in the 2019 field behind 14-year-old Alexa Pano.
Ganne approached her chance on the big stage like many of the world’s top players. She made a trip to South Carolina a couple of weeks ago and played the course, finding a local caddie with intimate knowledge of the course along the way. The U.S. Open is traditionally one of the toughest tests in golf on both the men’s and women’s sides but the amateur will be prepared when she tees it up for real Thursday.
“I feel like I know the course pretty well,” Megha said. “The greens are faster and the rough is a little bit thicker but nothing too crazy. I’m just trying to get a feel of hitting a lot of shots and marking down so I just have something to focus on when I’m actually playing so I’m not too distracted by the crowds.”
“I’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to play among the best players in the world,” Ganne said. “I always follow them and it’s something you look at every day in your life through a screen. I just want to know what it’s like to be out there.”
She’s about to find out. Ganne tees off Thursday May 30 at 2:57 p.m. in a pairing with fellow amateur Megan Furtney and Canadian pro Megan Osland.
“I’ve never played anything close to something this big before,” Ganne said. ”I don’t know what to expect, but I know it’s going to be great.”
