Upton alive for U.S. Open

Carson High graduate Lynda Upton has given herself the chance to play on one of the biggest stages in women's golf.

Upton is one step away from playing in the U.S. Women's Open after advancing past the first stage of qualifying on Monday at Paradise Valley Country Club in Phoenix. Thirty-one players out of 125 entrants advanced to the next stage of qualifying. Upton fired a 78 in the 18-hole qualifying round and ended up in a 14-player playoff for the final seven qualifying spots. Upton was able to par the playoff hole to qualify for the next stage.

She will compete in one of the sectional qualifying events to be held on June 14 in Denver for the right to play in the U.S. Open, which will be held June 23-26 at Cherry Hills in Denver. Before playing in the qualifier, Upton will compete in the Washington Women's Open to be held June 6-8 in Federal Way, Wash.

After a standout athletic career at Carson, Upton went on to play for the University of Nevada women's golf team where she graduate in 2002. After playing at Nevada, she went on to pursue her professional career.