Judy Garland’s rendition of “There’s no place like home” from The Wizard of Oz (1939) is a cultural landmark. It is best embodied by athletes competing on their home turf. The thrill of playing amongst one’s own people is unparalleled in sports.

The 2023 US Women’s Open is being hosted in the hometown of one lucky LPGA player, making this feeling a reality for her. 

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Mina Harigae’s Homecoming

At the young age of eleven, Mina Harigae laid eyes on the legendary turf of Pebble Beach Golf Links in California for the first time. She is a native of Monterey and spent her childhood only 15 minutes away from the course.

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During an AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am here, a tournament on the PGA Tour, Harigae also met Tiger Woods where she told the legend that she had competed against his niece in the Junior World Championship in San Diego.

33-year-old Harigae, on her homecoming, said, “I’m so excited to play in front of the home crowd. It’s the biggest tournament in women’s golf. It’s an absolute dream come true.”

Recalling the number of times she’s practiced on this turf, she said, “I feel like with Pebble Beach, I know where to hit it, where not to hit it and what to do when I hit it into a spot I’m not supposed to.”

From KPMG to US Women’s Open

Last time around, Harigae was the runner-up at the 77th US Women’s Open in 2022. She was neck-and-neck with eventual winner Minjee Lee until the final round where couldn’t keep up her good work of the previous three days.

In the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship last week, Harigae was tied 24th with Ruoning Yin taking home $1.5 million, the winner’s prize.

Regardless of an average show at the KPMG, the LPGA Tour player, who turned pro in 2009, is ecstatic to play on her home turf at Pebbles Beach. She has every reason to be ecstatic and optimistic.

The tournament kicks off on July 6 and will go on till July 9.

Who do you think will win this US Women’s Open? Do you think Harigae can pull off a great, memorable win in front of her home crowd? Tell us in the comments below.  

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