October 22, 2016: Maia Schechter continued to make a name for herself with a second straight 4-under, 68 to grab the 36-hole lead at 8-under, 136. Schechter, who missed advancing out of Stage I last year, has made 12 birdies against just four bogeys through two rounds. Aditi Ashok suffered a 76 in the second round to slip down the order. The young Indian is lying T29 courtesy a splendid 69 in the first round.
After making just a solitary bogey on the Bobcat course, Aditi conceded as many as six bogeys on the second day. But there are still two rounds to go and recent form suggests that Aditi Ashok will brush aside the disappointment to secure her place into the final round of qualifying due to be held in the first week of December. As it is, Aditi Ashok is safely inside the top 30, with the top 80 and ties qualifying for the finale.
Marianne Skarpnord (Sarpsborg, Norway) is in second at 7-under, 137, while the top two amateurs in the world – Leona Maguire (Cavan, Ireland) and Bronte Law (Manchester, England) share third at 5-under, 139. Schechter and Skarpnord are the only two players in the field with two rounds in the 60’s.
“It’s a good way to start off Q-school for sure,” said Schechter, who finished T20 at Stage I of Q-school. “I feel like I have a really good game plan. I’ve been trying to make birdies, but also focusing on great shots.”
The turnaround is remarkable for Schechter, who graduated from UNC in 2015. She finished T137 at Stage I of Qualifying Tournament in her first go-round and failed to advance and now has the lead at Stage II in her second attempt.
“I improved a lot,” said Schechter with a wide smile. “It is definitely easier your second year just knowing what it is like. I think my game is just overall better, that is the biggest difference.”
Schechter also played in five Symetra Tour events this year to get used to life as a professional golfer.
“Q-school was my first professional tournament last year and it was just such a big deal,” said Schechter. “It is so much easier and it just feels like golf now, nothing crazy.”
When asked if she was surprised to be at the top after two days, Schechter politely said no.
“I feel like I have been playing really well and these courses set up well for me and I have been putting really well,” said Schechter. “I wouldn’t say I’m shocked at myself so I’m comfortable.”
Schechter said her greatest accomplishment at UNC was helping her team win the Tar Heel Invitational as a sophomore.
Schechter, who didn’t start playing golf until she was 14 years old, attended the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy as a junior and senior in high school in order to accelerate her golf career.
“I was just OK when I started and I wanted to be really good and everyone wants to be on top of the LPGA,” said Schechter. “It has taken a lot of hours of hard work. The academy really helped in getting tournament experience and a coach to work with at all times.”
The top 80 and ties after Sunday’s final-round will advance to Final Stage of LPGA Qualifying Tournament, which is November 30-December 4 at LPGA International in Daytona Beach.
