May 26, 2017: In 2016, warm temperatures made for a firm and fast Travis Pointe Country Club, site of the inaugural LPGA Volvik Championship.
12 months later, conditions couldn’t be more different.
Thursday, a mix of rain and clouds, along with 60-degree temperatures, made for a much different and tougher test than players faced last season.
The change made no difference to first round co-leader Stacy Lewis, who didn’t play in the LPGA Volvik Championship last season. She played her first competitive round at Travis Pointe on Thursday. With a birdie and a fist pump at the 18th hole, she capped off a seven-under, 65 to take what was at the time the outright lead.
Wei-Ling Hsu caught Lewis in the afternoon and both share the first round lead, one ahead of Nelly Korda at six-under par and a group of five players at five-under par. India’s Aditi Ashok shot two birdies and a lone bogey to score one-under-par 71 to tie at T57.
“It’s a ball striker’s golf course and if you can hit the greens, they’re pretty small to begin with, you can make some putts,” Lewis said. “That’s what I did a lot of today was hit a lot of good shots and then made some good putts as well.”
Lewis is working with her instructor on simplifying her thoughts on the course and not over reading putts. That practice was well executed Thursday as Lewis made it around in 26 putts.
“I did a really good job today being decisive and being confident in my decisions, so that’s something I’m going to look forward to tomorrow and this weekend, just being more confident,” said Lewis.
The two-time major champion has three top 10s in 2017 and is in the hunt for her first victory since 2014.
LPGA Tour Release
