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Mariah Stackhouse tries to shake off her nerves

July 07, 2011

COLORADO SPRINGS, Co. -- The pressure of a major championship is something all 156 golfers will encounter this week, but some players have added expectations. Enter, Mariah Stackhouse.

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Mariah Stackhouse walks with her father, Ken. (Photo by the USGA)

The 17-year-old from Riverdale, Ga. is the youngest African-American to qualify for a U.S. Women's Open. While she told me on Wednesday that she feels confident and ready to hold her own at The Broadmoor, she's showing signs of being slightly uncomfortable.

After a three-putt bogey on the 420-yard first hole, Stackhouse hit a beautiful pitch shot on the second hole but failed to convert the up-and-down by missing a two-footer for par. Stackhouse appeared to shake off her nerves on the par-5 third, when she chipped in for birdie, but proceeded to three-putt the par-3 fourth.