Andrea Lee hasn’t played golf in over a month but showed no rust in the first round of the 106th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship.
Lee, the second-ranked female amateur in the world sliced and diced the Red Deer Golf and Country Club to the tune of six-under-par 66 in the opening round.
She sits tied atop the leaderboard with fellow Californian Zoe Campos, who was equally scorching on the warm and sunny Alberta day.
“I’m confident with the way I’ve been playing. I’ve been out of competition for a while. The last tournament I played was the women’s open about a month and a half ago,” said Lee, who finished 60th at the U.S. Women’s Open her last time out.
“Haven’t really competed so it’s just exciting to be back out here competing against some of the best. Hopefully play well the rest of the week, too.”
Welcome to the 106th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship @rdgcc1922 🙌🏼🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/XnfRmgaBwj
— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) July 23, 2019
Lee, who has her dad on the bag this week, started her day on the back nine and was two-under before she got hot. She ended with birdies on six of her last nine holes on the front.
“Got off to a bit of a slow start. Missed a couple of chances for birdie but managed to get a few on the front,” said the Hermosa Beach, Cali. native.
“Really minimized mistakes all day, only had two bogeys on two par 3s. Made a 20-footer and a 35-footer, so that helped definitely. Really satisfied with the way I played today.”
Overall, 156 players from 13 different countries teed it up Tuesday, with a cut on Wednesday after 36 holes.
The top Canadian after day 1 was Sarah-Eve Rheaume, 18, who shot a four-under 68. The Lac-Delage, Quebec native was tied for third after the opening 18-holes. She birdied six holes in her first round.
American @zoecamposs co-leads the Canadian Women’s Amateur at 6 under par @rdgcc1922 #CDNWAm pic.twitter.com/de8QDbZpoO
— Golf Canada (@GolfCanada) July 23, 2019
Medicine Hat’s Becky Martin, Alberta’s top amateur struggled somewhat in the opening round, carding a two-over-par 74.
Even if the round wasn’t exactly what she was looking for, Martin is doing her best to enjoy the moment and appreciate the experience.
“Started the front nine really well, I was two-under. Back nine just fell apart a little bit. Picked it up at the end and had some unfortunate lies, but that’s part of the game,” Martin said.
“At the end of the day, it’s not just a game, but it’s a game. I don’t need to create this super crazy idea where I have to become someone I’m not and I’ve never been and try to play the same as I have. I think it’s challenging not to get caught up in all of it, you also have to recognize it’s a big deal.”
Both Lee and Martin were complimentary of the set up at RDGCC after one round. Both new to the course, Lee said she was a big fan and enjoyed the challenge that it presented to start the week.
“It’s a beautiful course, I love it. Great condition, the greens are rolling really well. I think (Tuesday) there were a lot of tough pin placements I noticed. Near bunkers, so I tried not to short side myself,” Lee added.
“Putting myself in a good place off the tee for sure and just good tee shots so I can have a good attack into the green. The course is in front of you really. It’s pretty straight forward.”
Round two gets underway at 7:30 a.m.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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