MILTON, Ga., May 20, 2016 - Laura Wearn (Charlotte, N.C.) sank 25-feet worth of par putts on the final two holes on Friday to stay in a share of the lead heading into the final-round of the Gosling’s Dark ‘n Stormy Classic at Atlanta National Golf Club. Wearn carded a 1-over 73 and stands at 6-under, 138. She shares the 36-hole lead with Prima Thammaraks (Bangkok, Thailand), who carded a 3-under 69.
The cut was made at 6-over and 63 will tee it up on Saturday starting at 7:30 a.m.
Madelene Sagstrom (Enkoping, Sweden) will play in the final group for the fifth time in seven events this season. She stands in 3rd at 3-under, 141 after a 2-over 74. Sagstrom has a chance at a third win, which would get her a “Battlefield Promotion” to the LPGA. She is also just $864 short of setting the all-time
single-season earnings record. She has to finish 30th or better on Saturday to set the mark. Cindy LaCrosse owns the record with $94,578 earned in 2010.
After a 7-under 65 on Friday, Wearn did not make a birdie on Saturday, but made critical putts including a 15-footer for par on the eighth hole, which was her 17th of the day. Wearn had to take an unplayable after an errant drive on nine and still managed to sink a 10-foot par putt to end the day.
“It is definitely very exciting to see those last two drop,” said the 25-year-old Wearn. “I’m happy to be in this position because I’ve had some good tournaments, but hopefully this one will be a really good tournament.”
Wearn has never played in the final group so she admitted there would be some nerves, but she is excited for the chance.
“I think I can play well out here so hopefully I can make a lot of birdies,” said Wearn. “I didn’t have any today so hopefully I am saving them for tomorrow.”
Wearn’s best finish is a tie for ninth in 2014. She missed nearly the entire 2015 season after back surgery last May.
The final group of Wearn, Thammaraks and Sagstrom will tee at 9:20 a.m.
PRIMA THAMMARAKS HAS FIRST WIN IN SIGHT: Prima Thammaraks (Bangkok, Thailand) carded a 3-under 69 to move into second. She is the only player in the field to post two rounds in the 60’s this week.
“Overall, I played really solid,” said Thammaraks, who is making just her second Epson Tour start. “Yesterday, I hit 17 greens. I have been making adjustments in my swing this week and they are working. Today, I chipped and putted really, really well.”
Thammaraks did most of her damage on the front nine when she made three consecutive birdies between holes four and six.
Thammaraks finished T26 at 2015 LPGA Qualifying Tournament to earn partial LPGA status. She has played in two LPGA events this year and has missed the cut. She played in the Epson Classic last week and also missed the cut.
“The season has been a lot of up-and-downs,” said Thammaraks. “I thought I was ready for my first LPGA event, but then I sort of realized that there is another level that you have to live up to. After my two LPGA events, I’ve been doing some different things and trying some things out. I still wasn’t hitting the ball great last week, but I made some adjustments and this week is much better.”
Thammaraks said she has gone through three different putters over the last month and this week she finally switched back to the one she used in college at Iowa State.
Thammaraks spent the 2015 season playing in China on the CLPGA and also on the Thailand LPGA.
QUICK NOTES
• No. 7 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list Augusta James carded a 4-under 68 to move from T50 to T4. James has finished in the top 12 in five of the six events.
• Erynne Lee, who won the season opener (IOA Championship), posted a 3-under 69 to move into the top 10.
• 11 players in the top 25 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list are T22 or better heading into the
final-round.
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