Anderson continues amateur tradition at U.S. Women's Open

• By Randall Mell
• Jul 8, 2011 4:11 PM ET

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Amy Anderson’s strong start at the U.S. Women’s Open adds to the amateur tradition in the championship’s history.

Anderson, 18, finished up her suspended first round solidly to post a 2-under-par 69. She came back out early Friday to finish up six holes after Thursday’s weather suspension. She followed a bogey at the 15^th with a birdie at the 17^th.

“It’s exciting, it hasn’t sunk in yet,” Anderson said.

Anderson is one of 25 amateurs in the field.

While an amateur has won the U.S. Women’s Open just once (Catherine Lacoste in 1967), amateurs have scripted significant storylines over the years.

Last year, Kelli Shean, a senior at the University of Arkansas, stole the headlines as the compelling first-round story, moving a shot off the lead in her first U.S. Women’s Open. Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lang tied for second at the 2005 U.S. Women’s Open at Cherry Hills. In 2003, Aree Song finished fifth at Pumpkin Ridge. In 1998, Jenny Chuasiriporn, a 20-year-old senior at Duke, lost in a playoff to Se Ri Pak at Blackwolf Run.

Anderson who has her older brother, Nathan, on her bag this week, is staying with cousins who live about 20 miles from The Broadmoor. Anderson, who hails from tiny Oxbow, N.D., has a good following with 40 or so family and friends making the trip to see her.

What was it like sleeping on the lead Thursday night?

"I just didn't really think about it too much," Anderson said. "I'm trying not to get ahead of myself. This is just the first round."