Fotu breaks 97-year streak at Utah Open

PROVO, Utah — On August 10, Kerstin Fotu became the first woman to win both the Utah Women’s State Amateur Championship and Utah Women’s Open. By winning the Utah Women’s Open, Fotu earned a spot in the 2021 Siegfried and Jensen Utah Open played at Riverside Country Club where she again made history.

Fotu posted scores of 70 and 73 in the first two rounds, putting her at 1-under par and T-58 at the conclusion of round two. The 36-hole cut whittled the 150-player field to the top 60 making Kerstin Fotu the first woman in the 96-year history of the Utah Open to make the cut.

“The experience was huge for Kerstin,” said BYU coach Carrie Roberts. “It’s always a huge confidence booster when you approach something that you know is going to be challenging and you come out successful. I’m super proud of Kerstin. Her hard work, how she represented herself, her family and the team has opened the door for more female athletes to make the cut in men’s events because we now know it can be done.”

Fotu posted a 4-over par 76 in the final round to finish in 59th place.  BYU men’s golfer Cole Ponich posted rounds of 71-65-67 for a three-day total of 13-under par to win low amateur honors and finish tied for ninth.

This year’s Utah Open at Riverside Country Club was played at 7,250 yards which is significantly longer than courses played in collegiate women’s events, that typically range from 6,000-6,500 yards, making Fotu’s feat even more impressive.

Fotu joined a star-studded group that teed it up last week including Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and CBS Sports Analyst Tony Romo. The field also consisted of current BYU men’s golfers Cole Ponich, Keanu Akina and Elijah Turner, as well as many BYU alumni including Daniel Summerhays, Dean Wilson, Clay Ogden and Kelton Hirsch.