“I’m so excited,” said Donegan, who was a brilliant fourth in strokeplay qualifying for the NCAA’s in California before LSU fell to Oregon in the first matchplay round.
“Ever since I qualified, obviously, it’s a little bit of a quicker turnaround this time compared to last year but really not much different. I went from one tournament straight to the US Open and it’s the same this year.
“I came from the National Championships in Carlsbad straight here. So two big tournaments in a row, which is kind of nice.
“So I haven’t had much time to think about it. And I’m just so happy to be here again, and the course is in absolutely perfect condition.”
She’s had a busy few days following the NCAAs and had little time to rest and recharge for her second major championship appearance.
“Rest is the big thing this week,” she said before her first nine-hole practice round.
“I tried to rest when we got home from nationals. It’s been about four days or five days since we got home but I had to pack up my whole apartment and move out. So the goal is just to get more rest.
“I think I’m going try and get nine holes in today. I was going to try to play 18, but the weather’s not looking like that’s possible, so I’ll try to get nine in and maybe 18 tomorrow and then nine on Wednesday.
“So the goal is mostly rest and then prepare myself as best I can and try and get to l know the slopes on the greens. I heard the course is quite hilly. So that’s kind of it.”
Coach Madden is key for Donegan, who is one of 21 amateurs in the field alongside her LSU teammates Ingrid Lindblad of Sweden and American Latanna Stone.
There were 28 amateurs at Pebble Beach last year but just four, including Donegan, made the cut.
This year, she’s got stiff competition for the leading amateur honours with world number one Lindblad and Augusta National Women’s Amateur winner Lottie Woad (fourth) among the nine members of the World Amateur Golf Ranking’s top 50 in action.
“Gary has coached me since I was nine,” Donegan said. “He was on my bag last year as well and he was actually on the bag when I qualified, so it’s great to have a familiar face on the bag.
“He’s someone who I can bounce things off and someone who I know really well so it’s great.”
Donegan has been drawn with American Yealimi Noh and South Korea’s So Mi Lee for the first two rounds of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania.
The Lahinch star (22) goes off the first on Thursday at 12:29 pm Irishtime and from the 10th on Friday at 6:14 pm.
Leona Maguire is paired with her Swedish Solheim Cup teammate Madelene Sagstrom and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit from the first on Thursday at 1:13 pm and the 10th at 6:58 pm on Friday.
Stephanie Meadow, who secured a late call-up from the alternate list on Monday, joins Germany’s Esther Henseleit and South Korea’s Mi Hyang Lee from the first at 7:31 pm on Thursday (Irish time) before going off the 10th at 1:46 pm Irishtime on Friday.
Meanwhile, US superstar Lexi Thompson confirmed yesterday she will retire at the end of the season.
A 15-time winner, Thompson (29) will be bidding this week to add a second major to her lone triumph in the 2014 Chevron Championship, then called the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
“While it is never easy to say goodbye, it is indeed time,” Thompson said on Instagram.
“At the end of 2024, I will be stepping away from a full professional golf schedule.”
While she won on the Ladies European Tour in 2022, the big-hitting American has gone almost five years without an LPGA win and battled injury.
“I’m excited to enjoy the remainder of the year as there are still goals I want to accomplish,” she added. “I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life, time with family, friends, and my trusted companion, Leo.
“I will always look for ways to contribute to the sport and inspire the next generation of golfers.”