Three-Way Tie Atop the Leaderboard Midway Through First Round

Erin, Wis. – Lizette Salas, 18, of Azusa, Calif., Kelly Fuchik, 19, of Tulsa, Okla., and May Tomimbang, 21, of Kissimmee, Fla. battled atypically cool and windy conditions to card 2-under 71s to take the lead midway through the first round of stroke play Monday at the 2008 U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship, being played at Erin Hills Golf Course.

The other 78 competitors in the 156-player field had afternoon starting times on the 6,178-yard, par-73 layout. Stroke-play qualifying will continue Tuesday with 18 holes and the low 64 scorers will advance to match play, which starts on Wednesday. The 36-hole final is scheduled for Saturday.

Also in the hunt was Shasta Averyhardt, 22, of Flint, Mich., who was one stroke back after a 72 and Lauren Doughtie of Suffolk, Va., who shot an even-par 73.

Salas, who is playing in her first WAPL despite qualifying last year, got off to a fast start, carding four birdies in her first nine holes despite battling constant wind throughout the morning.

“I played pretty good, taking advantage of the par-5 hole locations,” said Salas, who just finished her freshman season at the University of Southern California. “I also did a good job hitting the low points on the green.”

Fuchik, who is playing in her first USGA championship, felt right at home with the windy conditions.

“I just had to think positive and [not think about the weather],” said Fuchik.  “I was just able to stay in the fairway and have a good round today.”

Fuchik and Doughtie were able to recover from rough starts, both shooting 3-over on the first nine but recovering to finish under par.

“I am feeling pretty good now,” Doughtie said. “Hopefully I can carry momentum into tomorrow.”

Averyhardt, a rising senior at Jackson State University, birdied the 18th hole to pull within one shot of the leaders. 

“The golf course was not forgiving,” Averyhardt said. “I had to eliminate mental errors and trust myself and just try to stay in the moment [at 18].

Defending Women’s Amateur Public Links champion Mina Harigae, 18, of Monterey, Calif., had a tough morning, finishing with a 7-over 80.

But Harigae did not seem too discouraged by her performance, saying she didn’t feel any additional pressure as the defending champion as she prepares for the U.S. Women’s Open next week.

“Not really, no pressure,” said Harigae, who beat Stephanie Fleet last year 4 and 3 at Kearney Hill Golf Links in Lexington, Ky.  “It’s a new course for everyone, but the wind and muddy conditions made it tougher.”

The U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links is one of 13 championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association each year, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.

Story written by Kent Zakour, USGA Media Relations summer intern. Contact him at kzakour@usga.org with any questions or comments.