BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Auburn’s Candace Schepperle carded a 2-over-par 73 in the first round of the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open on Thursday and stands in a tie for 26th heading into today’s second round. Former Tiger Nicole Hage (2004-07) is also competing at the tournament and is in a tie for 37th after posting a 3-over 74.
Conducted by the United States Golf Association, the U.S. Women’s Open is a 72-hole stroke play event with a cut after 36 holes. The par-71 Saucon Valley Country Club Old Course is playing at 6,740 yards for the four-day event.
Schepperle, a Birmingham native, started off the day by going 2-under-par after her first seven holes, but a double-bogey on her eighth hole and a bogey on the ninth put her at 1-over at the turn.
“I started off really good and had a lot of good chances at birdie in the beginning, but I got a bad break on one hole and had a double,” said Schepperle. “I had some shots in the rough and had to make some up-and-downs from all over the place. But, I made some good putts, got some saves and kept myself in it.”
The rising senior shot 1-over in her final nine holes, carding six pars, a birdie and two bogeys, to finish the first round at 2-over-par 73. Standing in a tie for 26th, Schepperle is in good position to stay in the top 60 and make the 36-hole cut.
Also in good position to make the cut is Hage, who finished the day one stroke behind Schepperle. The Coral Springs, Fla., native played steady golf in the first round, carding 15 pars and three bogeys.
Only 11 players finished the first round at even par or better with South Korea’s Na Yeon Choi leading the way with a 3-under-par 68.
With the first 18 holes under her belt, Schepperle said the key to sticking around for the weekend is being patient on the long, tough course.
“I know this course very well, but I think I need to stay patient,” said Schepperle. “I had some good breaks and bad breaks at the same time, but that is what you get on an open course. You never know what you are going to get out here.
“I putted pretty good today, some really key putts and I feel really good with the greens and the course. I’m just ready to play.”
Schepperle will tee off at 11:41 a.m. off the No. 1 tee today with Diana D’Alessio of Flanders, N.J. and Korea’s Jeong Jang at 6:11 a.m. on the No. 10 tee. Hage will go off at 8:01 a.m. off the No. 10 tee, playing with Tzu-Chi Lin of Chinese Taipei and amateur Marina Alex of Wayne, N.J.
ESPN (Channel 31 in Lee County) will carry second-round coverage live from 1-5 p.m.
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