BRYAN, Texas – UALR junior Mallory Fraiche survived a five-hole sudden death playoff on Monday to earn a spot in the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open, which will take place July 9-12 at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pa.

A native of Metairie, La., Fraiche was one of four golfers to advance at the U.S. Women’s Open Sectional qualifier at Miramont Country Club, making a 10-foot birdie on the fifth playoff hole to edge Amy Ruengmateekhun for the final spot.

“It’s a big deal. I’ve been working hard all year and all summer to prepare and I really wanted it,” said Fraiche. “Once I got through the local qualifying and the 36 holes, I really thought I could do it. I said to myself ‘I’ve come this far and I really want to win’. Instead of being nervous and scared, I embraced it, and that made a big difference.”

After 36 holes of competition at the challenging 6,800-yard Miramont Country Club, in which 77 was the lowest round of the day, Fraiche found herself in a four-way tie for the final two spots with a 159 total (80-79).

Meghan Stasi (77-79) and Isabelle Beisiegel (79-79) claimed the first two spots in the Open by finishing first and second, respectively, leaving Fraiche, Tracy Stanford (80-79), Juli Erekson (81-78) and Ruengmateekhun (82-77) to fight it out for the last two openings.

Erekson was eliminated from contention on the first playoff hole after making bogey, while Stanford grabbed the first available spot with a birdie on the second playoff hole. Fraiche and Ruengmateekhun were left to battle for the final spot, matching scores over the next two holes before Fraiche took control by sticking her tee shot within 10 feet of the pin on the par-3 fourth hole.

“We played so long that we had to finish in the dark, and were forced to play the fourth hole twice because it was the only hole we could see on. All I could see was the white flag and the white ball, so I just aimed where I had been aiming all day,” said Fraiche. “I knew I had hit my four-iron perfectly but I lost sight of the ball in the air. When I got to the green I thought to myself ‘I better make this putt because I don’t want to come back tomorrow’.”

Fraiche got some guidance and support during the sectional qualifier from a familiar face, as former teammate, and roommate, Sara Wikstrom caddied for her during the event.

Fraiche took home medalist honors at the 2009 Sun Belt Conference Championships after finishing with a three-under par 213 for the event (72-70-71). Following her sophomore season, she was named an All-American Scholar by the National Golf Coaches Association.

Before heading to the U.S. Women’s Open, Fraiche will compete in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship, which will be held June 22-27 at Red Tail Golf Club in Devens, Mass.

 “When I get to the open I’m really going to focus and try to play the best I can,” said Fraiche. “To get this far and not play my best at the Open would be a waste. I’m going to focus really hard and try to make the cut.”