Nine-year-old golfer Bella Simoes attempts to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open
Nine-year-old golfer tries to qualify for the US Women’s Open and become the youngest ever to play the major – tees off with impeccable swing and spinning club
- Bella Simoes is one of 68 hopefuls playing a qualifier this week in Naples, Florida
- The nine-year-old is already a back-to-back three-time US Kids World Champion
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Bella Simoes is trying incredibly hard to qualify for the US Women’s Open at just nine years old.
Simoes, a nine-year-old from Brazil, began her quest on Tuesday to qualify for the second major of the year.
The youngster is one of 68 hopefuls who will compete in this week’s 36-hole qualifier at The Club at Mediterra in Naples, Florida.
With the US Women’s Open being held at Pebble Beach this year, the tournament has naturally attracted many players – obviously both the old and the extremely young – but only the top two finishers from this qualifier will advance to the big event.
The Brazilian teed in style on Tuesday morning with a flawless swing, and even finished it off with a club twirl.
Bella Simoes is trying to qualify for the US Women’s Open at the age of nine
Should Simoes qualify, it would be an incredible feat if she broke the record held by 11-year-old Lucy Li, who made her major debut at Pinehurst in 2014, as the youngest competitor in US Women’s Open history.
Li broke the previous record held by grand winner and LPGA Tour star Lexi Thompson, who made headlines when she made the cut in 2007 at age 12.
Simoes did not start her campaign with the best start, shooting nine-over on the front nine and finishing 13-over for the round.
However, the rising star is no stranger to competing – and winning – she has won the US Kids world championship consecutively for the past three years.
The 78th US Women’s Open will take place this summer at the famed Pebble Beach links July 6-9.
Whether she qualifies or not, it’s likely we’ll be seeing a lot more of Simoes in the future.
Meanwhile, at age 60, Kimberly Williams is the oldest competitor in this year’s qualifying.
The Brazilian is one of 68 hopefuls who will compete in the 36-hole qualifier in Naples, Florida
No stranger to competition, she has won the US Kids world championship three times
A handicap of 2.4 or lower is required to qualify for the major and Simoes is one of 2,107 entries.
But Simoes has to face Gianna Clemente, Brooke Matthews, Isabella Fierro, Lindy Duncan, Heather Lin, Vicky Hurst and Kristy Mcpherson this week before she can think of breaking any records.
Ranked 45th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Clemente made her own impression when she became the youngest player in the field at this year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur at age 15.
Meanwhile, Matthews and Fierro play collegiate at the University of Arkansas and Ole Miss, respectively.