US Women's Open @ Pine Needles: Storylines

Some (of many) storylines to consider this week at Pine Needles:

Morgan Pressel returns to the site of her first US Open. She qualified for the event at the age of 12 and then some to become the youngest player to qualify for the event. Interestingly enough, she will be passing the torch on that honor this week. She has had so much success at this event that it almost seems likely she could be passing on one distinction for a greater one.

Lorena Ochoa picked up her third win of the year outside of Rochester at the Wegmans LPGA. It was her first win in five career playoff trips. Could that be the spur she needs to jumpstart her major championship victory tally this week in North Carolina? Now clearly the LPGA Tour's best player, will the weight of that title and its complementary expectations be too much for her to seriously contend on Sunday - like at the LPGA Championship?

Of course, there is the bevy of players that could make this Open their first major title - Kerr, Creamer, Lincicome, MHK, etc. The Open has a history of producing first-time major champions in the pressure cooker that is a USGA setup. This could be a great time for one of these ladies to break through this week.

Pine Needles is playing as the longest course in US Women's Open history - at sea level. Cherry Hills, outside of Denver, holds the distinction of longest host course. The last time the championship was held here (2001), Karrie Webb was victorious. The time before that? It was 1996, and Annika was the champion. Don't think for a second that Sorenstam's history here and her almost tireless quest to win this tournament will not serve as an inspiration this week.

Other storylines you find interesting? Email me @ ryan@thegolfnewsnet.com.