GREENWOOD, South Carolina, May 13, 2017 - Paola Moreno (Cali, Colombia) was 2-over after round one and has pulled off a remarkable turnaround to take a two-shot lead into the final-round of the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Women’s Health Classic. Moreno posted a second straight 7-under, 65 on Saturday to skyrocket to 12-under, 204. She has a two-shot lead over Rachel Rohanna (Waynesburg, Pa.), Anne-Catherine Tanguay (Quebec, Canada) and Celine Boutier (Montrouge, France) entering Sunday’s final-round at The Links at Stoney Point.
Mindy Kim (Diamond Bar, Calif.) is in fifth place at 7-under, 209.
The final-round will begin at 8:15 a.m. on Sunday and the final group of Moreno, Rohanna and Boutier will tee at 12:03 p.m.
The winner of the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Women’s Health Classic will earn $30,000 and likely move inside the top five on the Volvik Race for the Card money list.
Moreno, 31, made two birdies on the front nine and then did most of her damage on the back nine. She closed with birdies on four of the final five holes including 17 and 18.
“I’ve been hitting the ball well and giving myself chances,” said Moreno, who needed just 28 putts on Saturday. “I hit every green on the back nine except for 12. I’m really happy and it has been a lot of fun.”
Moreno’s putter has been on fire. She has 14 birdies over her last two rounds.
“This course challenges you and putting is a big thing to win tournaments and I’ve been striking it really well,” said Moreno, who attempted 26 putts on Friday. “On 17, I made a great putt and I knew I had to hit it extra hard because it was uphill.”
Moreno made two bogeys during her first nine holes on Thursday. She made par on her final nine holes and has been bogey-free since.
Moreno has gone 45 consecutive holes without a bogey.
“I played well the first day regardless of the score,” said Moreno. “I’ve stayed really positive and that is the only thing I can control and I’m looking forward to tomorrow to post a good score.”
Moreno has three career wins on the Epson Tour with her last coming in 2016 at the Tullymore Classic. She also has 11 career top 10 finishes on the Epson Tour. Moreno has also made 67 starts on the LPGA Tour during her career.
“It is always nice to give yourself a chance to win a tournament and I think I am in a good place to do that tomorrow,” said Moreno. “There is a lot of golf left and players are great here and there are a lot of birdies out there. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and I just want to have fun and relax.
)
)
)
)
