Although the LPGA tour has been suspended since February due to COVID-19, second-year pro Jennifer Kupcho has found a way to compete. She appeared on the tournament radar when she won the Colorado Women’s Open in June, her first professional win. Now, a month and a half later, the 51st in the world and a native of Colorado is heading for another Colorado Open. This time, men.
After obtaining an exemption from a sponsor, Kupcho will perform at the CoBank Colorado Open at Denver’s Green Valley Ranch from 23 to 26 July. Set at 7,309 yards, it’s 608 yards longer than the last event that Kupcho played during the LPGA Tour, the LPGA Gainbridge in Boca Rio.
“Obviously it’s going to be longer than it was for the Women’s Open last month, but you also have to take into account the added distance from playing at high altitude,” Kupcho told Golf Digest. “To improve myself when I practice, I usually play back tees courses for more than one challenge, so the length doesn’t really intimidate me.”
The 72-hole event boasts a strong purse for an open state: $ 250,000, with the champion getting $ 100,000. That’s why the camp also has the likes of ex-PGA Tour ex-veterans Chris DiMarco, Colt Knost, Sam Saunders, Grant Waite, Shane Bertsch and Jonathan Kaye and emerging professionals from the Dru Love tour.
Kupcho will have a friendly face on the field, with his brother, Steven, also playing. Steven recently won the Dakotas Tour, where he shot 72-63-62 at the Ridge Golf Club in Sioux Center, Iowa. He won in a playoff. Unsurprisingly, this is the first time in the history of the Colorado Open that a brother-sister duo is on the field. Kupcho, however, is not the first woman to attend the event: Sherry Andonian played in 2016.
“I am approaching without expectations, but I am going to do my best and push myself as I continue to fight to be the best player I can be,” said Kupcho. “Regardless of the outcome, I really only appreciate the opportunity to increase the visibility of women in golf. I hope it opens some eyes, raises some questions and maybe even inspires someone to choose a club. I consider it a victory. “
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