FSU's Morgane Metraux set for U.S. Women's Open

The opportunity is a combination of nerves, excitement and thanks. 

Morgane Metraux, considered one of the top collegiate women golfers nationally, wants to know how her game compares to the best players in the world.

The Florida State senior will find out this week.

 “I am going to take it as a test for my game to know where I am at,” Metraux said Tuesday morning from Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey, site of the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open.  

Metraux is one of 20 amateurs from around the world and four current ACC golfers who will compete in the 156-player field that opens play Thursday.  She qualified for her first championship at the Diamond Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas on May 30.

Metraux also will have a familiar face on her bag in Seminole assistant coach Robert Duck.

Duck has caddied in European Tour events and at Augusta National, but never in a major championship.

“It’s going to be a blast,” Duck said Tuesday morning. 

“Morgane drives it well and puts it good. If she can stay composed I think she has more than a chance to play well. I plan to stay out of the way and we will have some fun, that’s for sure.”

Metraux, a native of Lausanne, Switzerland, has earned this opportunity. 

Metraux has won three events in her collegiate career – the 2016 Schooner Fall Classic, the 2017 Florida State Match-Up and the 2017 Dickson Intercollegiate).

Her stroke average has improved each year, recording a career-low 72.26 mark in earning All-ACC and All-American Third Team honors by GolfWeek as a junior.  

Monday, she was named to the All-American Scholar Team by the Women's Golf Coaches Association with a perfect 4.0 GPA in the fall and spring semesters.

She’s a triple threat – polite, talented and positive.

"Playing in the U.S. Open is a testament to how well Morgane has played this year and for her to play in this event is icing on the cake," said FSU coach Amy Bond, who is recruiting overseas and scheduled to arrive at the U.S. Open on Friday.  

Metraux felt she played well in her first two practices rounds Sunday and Monday on the Par 72, 7,580-yard course that is known for its unforgiving rough and slick greens. She is among the last two threesomes to tee off on Thursday’s opening round at 2:42 p.m. and is paired with Marissa Steen of the United States and Carly Booth of Scotland. 

So Yeon Ryu, of the Republic of Korea, enters the tourney at No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. 

“It is a very demanding course, very long,”Metraux said.

“I think my putting is going to help, though it’s going to be tough to make many putts in some places. I think I am long enough (off the tee) to have a little bit of an advantage compared to some players.”

FSU’s season also has fueled Metraux’s confidence. 

The Seminoles were ranked No. 1 nationally, won a school record six tournament championships, finished a school-record tying best second in the ACC Championships and led the ACC in stroke average for the first time in school history.

And while Duck stepping in as her caddie also should offer reassurance when needed, karma might in be Metraux's favor, too.

The FSU men's golf program has made regional, national and international news in the winners circle recently. 

Redshirt senior Harry Ellis won the 122nd British Amateur Championship at Royal St. George’s Golf Club in England last month. Former Seminoles Brooks Koepka (U.S. Open) and Daniel Berger (St. Jude Classic) also have hoisted first-place trophies. 

"No pressure right," Metraux said and laughed. 

“I am feeling really confident about this week, and it (FSU season) has been a big help for me.  I am trying to stay relaxed and enjoy it, too.”