With a round punctuated by only two birdies, Maude-Aimée Leblanc has work ahead of her since her first round of 74 (+3), Thursday, at the Omnium Dio Implant in Los Angeles, gives her only 83rd place.
The Quebecer had a difficult end to the course with three bogeys in her last five pennants. Her two birdies, on the 17th and 2nd holes, brought her back to even par each time, but she crashed in a section of the Wilshire Country Club that gave most golfers headaches.
The American Alison Lee logically took the lead after having had a faultless first 18 holes. His card of 66 (-5) allows him to hold a one-shot lead over a trio formed by his compatriot Emma Talley, Japan’s Nasa Hataoka and Denmark’s Emily Kristine Pedersen.
Leblanc is the best of the three Canadians entered in this tournament. Brooke M. Henderson was a disappointment with a score of 76 (+5). She’s tied for 116th. Maddie Szeryk played one more shot than the Ontarian and is in 124th place.
Cantlay and Schauffele dominate in Louisiana
Americans Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele flew over the TPC Louisiana court in the first round of the New Orleans Zurich Classic, a team tournament played at Avondale. Both men slashed 13 shots from par 72.
For this first day of activities, each pair played in a two-ball, best-ball format. The leaders thus gave a card of 59 (-13) under an eagle and 11 birdies.
They thus just beat, by a strike, another pair of Americans, formed by Matthew NeSmith and Taylor Moore. These two golfers have wedged a birdie less than those ahead of them.
Three Canadians are participating in this competition, namely Michael Gligic, Adam Svensson and Adam Hadwin. These last two form a duo. They handed a card of 65 (-7) and share the 28th position. Gligic, along with his American partner, Ryan Armour, presented an identical card.