Qualifying medalists Lizette Salas and Katie Kempter lost their first-round matches Wednesday in the U. S. Womens Amateur Public Links Championship.
Ellen Mueller of Bartlesville, Okla., beat Salas, from Azusa, Calif., 2 and 1, and Taiwans Tzu Chi Lin edged Kempter, from Albuquerque, N.M., in 20 holes.
Mueller and Lin were among seven players who tied for the final spots in stroke-play qualifying at 14-over 160'16 strokes behind Salas and Kempter on the 6,158-yard par-73 Erin Hills Golf Course.
It was very hard, Lin said. She played very well.
Kimberly Kim of Hilo, Hawaii, the 2006 U.S. Womens Amateur champion, also lost, falling 3 and 2 to Brianna Do of Lakewood, Calif.
Knowing she won in 2006 just made me want to win it more, Do said .
Amanda Blumenherst of Scottsdale Ariz., the 2007 U.S. Womens Amateur runner-up, was ousted by Aimee Neff of Carmel, Ind., 2 and 1.