Local golf phenom Molly Smith came within a whisker of making it to the final qualifier for this year’s U.S. Open Golf Tournament…in the Men’s Tournament.

Senior Writer Beth Ann Nichols featured Smith and her effort in an article for Golf Week. The Westford Academy Senior, who has been high atop the leaderboard of the Lowell City Golf Tournament, shot a 2-under Par 70 at LeBaron Hills Country Club in Lakeville, MA, finishing just a shot below the cut.

The 18-year old will try to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open on June 7th.