Rohanna has tough opening round
Rachel Rohanna said her ball-striking wasn’t up to par Friday afternoon in the opening round of the Shoprite LPGA Classic presented by Acer, leading a 3-over 74.
“My ball striking just wasn’t there today,” explained Rohanna. “My putting balanced it out.
“My iron play was giving me trouble the last week or two.”
Rohanna said of host course, Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, Bay Course, “This course is either really short or really long. I’m not used to hitting a lot of long irons.”
She described the play with her long irons as “pathetic. I missed a green with a 9-iron and a 7-iron.”
Rohanna had two bogeys and a birdie on the front for 1-over 38 and three bogeys and on birdie on the back for 2-over 36.
Rohanna hit just 8-of-14 fairways and 9-of-18 greens in regulation, though she kept the round in check with 30 putts.
Rohanna said she played well in the pro-am, and is hoping to get that rhythm back.
“I played well in the pro-am. I played with a lot of confidence,” said Rohanna.聽
The anticipated cut is even par, but the Waynesburg Central graduate believes advancing to Sunday’s final round is possible.
Ai Miyazato, Paula Reto and Anna Nordqvist share the first round lead at 7-under 64.
“This is definitely a scoring course. After about six holes, I looked at Emily (her sister Emily Rohanna, who is caddying for her) and said I should be tearing this court apart right now,” said Rohanna, who tees off at 12:37 p.m. Saturday. “It’s a pretty consistent course. The greens are the only thing that are tricky.
“It’s more of me just trusting my swing out there.”
Rohanna was just going to kick back after the first round and relax, especially with her late tee time Saturday.
“This is such a big stretch for me. I don’t feel tired, but I could be a little tired,” said Rohanna. “I’m comfortable in my game to go 4- or 5-under.”