Rohanna carries momentum into final round
Rachel Rohanna responded to her lackluster start with an impressive finish in Saturday’s second round as the Waynesburg Central graduate fought her way into the final round of the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa.
Rohanna closed with two birdies and eagle over the final five holes for a 1-under 71 as she clawed her way into today’s final round with a two-round total of 1-over 145 at Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon in Beaumont, California.
Rohanna started the second round tied for 62nd, but moved up into a tie for 48th. The cut was at 2-over 146.
Daniela Darquea, Briana Mao and Anne-Catherine Tanguay share the second round lead at 7-under 137.
Rohanna’s run started on No. 13, a par-4, with a birdie. After a par, she followed with a birdie-2 on No. 15 to set up hole that pushed her into the final round.
“After my tee shot, I had a 6-iron (to the green). I had a 6-footer for eagle,” said Rohanna.聽
She parred the final two holes to play the back nine in 4-under 32.
Rohanna closed the first round with consecutive birdies, but any momentum that provided was quickly dashed with her opening drive.
“I had to take an unplayable (lie). My drop had a bad lie and I had to punch it out. I had a wedge to the green and I airmailed. I 3-putted from the fringe,” said Rohanna.聽
The quadruple bogey ballooned her score to 6-over.
“I knew I had four par-5s left and all four were birdie-able. I could reach three of the four with irons. There was a par-4 I could drive,” said Rohanna, whose average driving distance in the second round was 307 yards.
“I made a long birdie putt on No. 15 and told myself I just birdie No. 16, I’d be okay,” added Rohanna.
Rohanna got one of the shots lost on the first hole with a birdie-4 on No. 4, but gave it right back two holes later. She birdied No. 8 to play the front nine in 3-over 39.
“I had a lot of making up to do,” Rohanna said of her mindset as she made the turn. “I would need to do a miracle to make the cut, and basically I did.
“I had nothing to lose. I play well and make the cut, or not make the cut.”
Even though she shot 2-over in Friday’s first, Rohanna wasn’t disappointed with the way she played.
“I played really well yesterday. I was 2-over and I could’ve been 3 or 4 under,” said Rohanna.聽
Rohanna hit 10-of-14 fairways in the second round and 13-of-18 greens in regulation. She needed 29 putts in the second round, shaving three strokes from her first round.
“I feel really good with my swing. One bad shot (her opening tee shot) cost me four shots,” said Rohanna.