Freshman golfer Emily Collins is only the second player in OU golf history to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open. Collins, 18, also is the youngest player in school history to do so.

Collins finished second in the Open’s sectional qualifier May 31 at the Prestonwood Country Club in Plano, Texas, after finishing at even-par for the tournament for a total score of 142.

More impressive than the freshman’s second-place finish was the 5-under-par second-round 66 she shot to qualify for the Open. The tournament was just 36 holes, but both rounds were played on the same day, which meant she had to mentally and physically regroup quickly to finish strong.

“In the second round, I was really consistent with my irons, and I made all my putts,” Collins said.

Collins completed her first season at OU in May, competing in all 11 Sooner events. In her first 18 holes in crimson and cream, the Colleyville, Texas, native shot 71 (-1).

Collins ended the season with two top-10 finishes and three top-20 finishes. During her senior year at Nolan Catholic (Texas) High School, Collins competed in the German Junior Masters, won the Kathy Whitworth Invitational and was named Golfweek’s Junior Golfer of the Week.

Still, Collins is looking to push herself at the Open.

“Making the cut is something that I want to do for sure, but I’m going to try not to get too excited and keep this all in perspective,” she said.

OU women’s golf coach Veronique Drouin said she was excited for Collins and the exposure Collins’ finish at the Open qualifier has brought the program.

“I think it’s going to be awesome for [Collins] to experience this,” Drouin said. “It will be great for her to see what she has to do to take her game to the next level.”

Drouin’s expectations for Collins aren’t to win the Open but to enjoy playing in the tournament and enjoy the experience of competing against the world’s best.

“I just wanted her to play well and have a good time,” she said. “It would be great if she could make the cut.”

Collins’ mother, Janet Collins, echoed Drouin’s sentiment.

“I am extremely proud of Emily, but we’re trying to keep it all in perspective for her,” she said. “She’s had her ups and downs this year, but she’s putting well, she’s hitting well, she’s confident, and she’s happy.”

The 2011 U.S. Women’s Open, with a field of 156 professionals and amateurs from around the world, is July 7-10 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“It’s an honor I’m really excited about it,” Collins said. “It’s kind of surreal; it hasn’t really hit me yet.”