PRIDDIS — A rough start to the LPGA’s Canadian Open wasn’t about to ruin Adrienne White’s day.
The 25-year-old from Red Deer was three-over after four holes, but regrouped to finish at even-par over the par-71 Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club Thursday.
“I think it was nerves,” she said in a telephone interview. “But it was good once I got my feet under me.”
White opened with a five on the par 4 opening hole, then after a par bogeyed the third and fourth holes — both par fours — before a birdie four on the fifth got her straightened around.
“I told myself to be aggressive on the fifth and it paid off,” she explained. “I then had a chance for a birdie on the sixth and I felt I was back to my normal game.”
White birdied the par 5 12th and pulled even with a two on the par 3 15th.
The fact White played in the 2008 Canadian Open in Ottawa played a role in her ability to shake off the tough start.
“For sure,” she said. “I knew I could come back, in fact I have a history of getting behind early on then settling down. I also knew I would likely pick up two or three bodies during the round, they just came early that’s all.”
The fact White has a friend — Jade McClendon, nee Polonich — on her bag helped as well.
“Jade has a lot of experience and we talked after the start and we both said there was a lot of golf left, not to worry about it.”
White was in a group with Amy Yang of South Korea and Sandra Gal of Germany. Yang shot a one-under 70 with Gal at 71.
“It’s fun to meet people from all over the world,” said White. “And it was a good group. We were all over the board at one time, but all finished about equal, which makes for a good game.”
White’s finish left her in a tie for 49th heading into today’s second round. The same trio will tee off at 1:50 p.m. on the 10th hole.
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com