Okino ready for Open

» Wie appreciates chances to play LPGA events

At age 14, Cyd Okino of Honolulu isn't the youngest player at the U.S. Women's Open, which starts tomorrow in Edina, Minn.

U.S. Women's Open Tomorrow at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minn. Tee times: Michelle Wie and Kimberly Kim, 3:17 a.m. Hawaii time; Cyd Okino, 4:01 a.m. Hawaii time.

"There's Alexis Thompson. She's 13. And two others," Okino said in a phone interview yesterday. "There still is that feeling of being really young, but I'm more excited than nervous, and I'm getting used to being here."

She has been in Edina several days, after playing last week in the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship in Wisconsin, where she did not make the cut.

This is the first U.S. Open for Okino, who played her way in at a Turtle Bay qualifier two weeks ago. She joins Kimberly Kim and Michelle Wie in representing Hawaii. The other two have played in this tournament before, and both have made the cut with Wie coming close to winning.

Did they have any advice for the new kid on the course?

"Not really," Okino said. "I haven't even seen Michelle yet. But I had a practice round with Kim (Monday). She just said to have fun."

How does she like the Interlachen Country Club's 6,789-yard par-73 course?

"It is very narrow and very long and you don't want to go into the rough," she said. "And the greens are super fast. You don't want to be above the hole."

Welcome to the U.S. Open, kid.