Most high-calibre golfers count every stroke they play on a course. Jisoo Keel only does it when she has to - like when she toils in the 2012 CN Canadian Women's Open championship running next week at Coquitlam's Vancouver Golf Club.
"I don't keep score when I practice," said Keel, who turns 17 on Sunday, the day before the Open's first practice round takes place prior to the four main competition days, Aug. 23-26. "I feel it puts too much pressure on myself."
Hence, Keel can't tell you what her best score to date is on her hometown course, but she can tell you she shot a very respectable four-over-par 292 (72-71-75-74) at last year's Open in Mirabel, Que., where she competed in her first-ever LPGA Tour event.
Next week marks her second stroll on the fairways and greens with the best female golfers in the world.
"Last year was absolutely amazing," Keel told The Tri-City News on Wednesday. "It was the first time I had so many people watching me play.
"I'm a little nervous this time because it's my hometown course. That puts a lot of pressure on me."
That's precisely why Keel has been mostly resting this week in preparation for next week's prestigious tournament, which Golf Canada has confirmed that the top 20 players on the current LPGA Tour money list will challenge for the $2 million US prize purse.
A straight A student who's entering her Grade 12 year at Gleneagle secondary school, Keel has had a hectic summer so far - competition wise, as well as signing a letter of intent mere weeks ago to attend California's esteemed Stanford University on scholarship. She was in contention for top spot until the final round at the 2012 Royale Cup Canadian women's amateur championship, which wrapped up earlier this month in Lethbridge, Alta., and is aiming for another solid showing at next week's Open.
"Making the cut [after the second round] is my first goal, then I just want to do better than last year," Keel said. "Playing at Vancouver Golf Club should be a pretty big factor for me. I know the course a little better than the other players do.
"It's always in good condition and isn't as unforgiving as some other courses I've played, but there are a lot of trees you always have to worry about."
