Rohanna makes the cut in Ocala
If Rachel Rohanna’s first two weeks on the LPGA Tour are indication of how 2016 might pan out, family and fans of the Waynesburg Central grad are in store for an interesting ride.
For the second week in a row, Rohanna secured a spot late in the second round, right at the cut line in the Coates Golf Championship presented by J+L Carriers after she shot 1-over 73 in the second round Friday.
Rohanna stood at 3-over 145 after two rounds, one of 75 golfers to make the cut.
The second round was scheduled for Thursday at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, but play was eventually suspended because of heavy rain and lightning with 27 golfers, including Rohanna, not able to start the round.
So, Rohanna was up-and-at-’em Friday with an 8:10 a.m. tee time.
Opening on No. 1, Rohanna had a bogey on No. 2 and birdie on No. 4 to remain 2-over for the tournament, and closed the front birdie-bogey to go out in even-par 36.
When the second round started the projected cut was at 1-over, then slid to 2-over and eventually settled at 3-over.
Rohanna worked her way down to 1-over for the round with a birdie on No. 11, but lost two strokes to par with bogeys on Nos. 13 and 15 to go to 3-over for the tournament.
“I saw the leaderboard on No. 17. The current players at T-75 were at 4-over, so I knew if I par out I’d be good. I had a good up-and-down to save par on No. 17, and had a 2-putt to make the cut on No. 18,” explained Rohanna.
Rohanna hit 14-of-18 greens, but as she had in the first round, needed 33 putts to complete the round.聽
“My drives are okay, but not consistent. The greens are tricky to read, to get the speed and break. I missed four or five putts from five feet, and had a couple 3-putts,” said Rohanna. “You read the green, then the putts go the opposite way. That’s how it is this week.”
The weather wasn’t necessary warm and balmy Florida weather when Rohanna stepped on the first tee, either.
“It was 39 degrees at tee time. That makes a difference. Half the field didn’t have to play in that weather,” said Rohanna.聽
Rohanna started her second round of the day around 4:05 p.m. and played off the tee on her ninth hole before play was suspended by darkness around 6:20. So, Rohanna was on the course near 7陆 hours Friday.
She opened the third round with a bogey on No. 10, but recovered with birdies on Nos. 12 and 15, and is in position for a birdie on No. 18.
“I laying three short of the green (of a par-5),” added Rohanna.
After three bogeys in her first nine holes, Rohanna has played the past 35 holes in 1-under with a good shot at birdie on the 36th hole.
Actually, Rohanna started the third round tied for 70th, but starts today in a tie for 47th.
“My ball striking is good. I’ve had really good birdie opportunities. I have to get something to fall. A couple (putts) are bound to fall,” said Rohanna.
DIVOTS: Lydia Ko and Ha Na Jang share the lead at the day’s start at 7-under 135. … The Golf Channel will air today’s final round from 3-5 p.m.