Two-time champ Inbee Park tries to keep to a light routine of playing nine holes for three rounds so she keeps her strength and stamina for the U.S. Women’s Open. Here are the highlights:

• This year was a bit different because the USGA  used two courses for the first 36 holes, the only way it could keep a full field at Champions Golf Club in a pandemic year.
• The players had a different learning curve to get familiar with the Jackrabbit and Cypress Creek courses, before Texas native Angela Stanford hits the opening tee shot Thursday.
• Park says it’s already difficult learning one course but to learn two is going to be quite undertaking every player this week.
• She had to change her practice rounds to nine, 18, and nine holes. This way, she wouldn’t put too much strain on her body.
• Despite the changes, the 156 players are quite excited to be playing given the circumstances.
• Park said that the seven weeks off felt like the offseason, but she’s ready for the U.S. women’s open and the CME Group Tour Championship in consecutive weeks.
• Due to the pandemic, The Women’s Open had to be postponed from the first week of June to two weeks before Christmas as the final major of the year.
• It’s an interesting time for women’s golf with social media having a big campaign called “Women Worth Watching.” It’ll be the biggest event on the American golf calendar this week, with network TV coverage on the weekend.
• The fight for No. 1 between Jin Young Ko and Sei Young Kim certainly keeps things interesting. Kim says, “Since I was young, I dreamt of being No. 1 in the world one day.”
• It will be tougher than most, especially with an additional golf course and having to deal with the colder temperatures for players to adjust their  play style.