REE RUNNING AWAY FROM FIELD
Seven birdies and an eagle in the second round of the PHC Classic led Robynn Ree (Redondo Beach, California) to a 6-under par 66 this afternoon and helped create some separation from the rest of the field at 11-under overall.
“As crazy as it sounds, I’m probably hitting it the worst I have all season,” said Ree, who hit nine fairways and 14 greens in regulation today. “I haven’t been in the best condition this week, so it’s making me fall back into bad swing habits. I have to work with what I have and do my best to take advantage of times I’m able to stick it close. When I do make mistakes, try to minimize the damage as much as possible.”
The University of Southern California alumna is searching for back-to-back Epson Tour wins after she captured The CDPHP Open in Albany, N.Y. on July 28. That performance marked her maiden professional title and Ree brought the momentum to the greater Milwaukee area.
“I’m just happy that I’m in position where I’m in contention again,” Ree said. “I’m going to try and take everything one step at a time, keep myself loose as much as possible. I like to keep my mind off golf and hopefully talking to my mom throughout the round will help me play as well as the past couple days.”
LEBLANC JOINS REE IN FINAL PAIRING
Comprising the other half of the final pairing off No. 1 tee tomorrow at 1:10 p.m. CT is Maude-Aimee Leblanc (Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada), after a 5-under par 67 in Glendale, Wis. got her to within four strokes of the lead at 7-under overall.
It is the second straight event the former Purdue University standout will compete in the final pairing.
“It’s definitely nice to see some consistency in my game,” said Leblanc, who has four top-15 finishes in her last six starts. “Whether my swing feels good or not, I know I can still shoot decent scores because I’m very confident with my putting. I’m always excited when I get to sleep in, so I’m glad I’ll have a late tee time. As for the approach, I’ll try to take advantage of the par-5s and be aggressive whenever the hole locations allow. Robynn has been playing great lately as well, so she won’t be easy to catch.”
BECK NOT BACKING DOWN AT BROWN DEER
Length off the tee is typically an advantage for Laetitia Beck (Caesarea, Israel), but the narrow, tree-lined fairways of Brown Deer Park Golf Course has limited her accessibility to driver. Even so, the Duke University graduate remains in the hunt at 7-under par overall through 36 holes.
“I hit a few more drives than yesterday, maybe three and even then I’m not hitting full distance,” said Beck, who went 3-under par in round two. “I don’t think much about how many shots back I am, but focus on finishing strong. This has been a goal of mine to get into contention and learn to handle all the pressure that comes with it. To win out here, you must go low in the final round and I hope to do that.”
NOTABLE QUOTES
Maia Schechter (-7, T2) on chasing the leader instead of holding the lead:
“If I had to choose, I would rather be in Robynn’s position where the rest of the field has to catch you. Nonetheless, I got my first win last year coming from behind at the Four Winds Invitational. All week I’ve had comfortable yardages to pins and haven’t had many in-between numbers. I just have to focus on hitting fairways and greens, while keeping the putter hot in the final round.”
Malene Krolboll Hansen (-7, T2) on the spot she is in heading into final round:
“New beginnings, hopefully. I’ve never been this close, or had back-to-back good rounds in a row. I feel like I’ve put together two good days before, but usually the second is a little bit of a struggle. For once, I don’t have to follow the leaderboard to see if I make the cut. When I started out here, I was too focused on just making the cut. I wasn’t scared of the girls, but respected them and it almost made me think that I couldn’t play at their level. Then someone told me I’m here for a reason and it’s not just to make cuts.”
Casey Danielson (-6, T7) on being in contention at the PHC Classic in her home state:
“I love Brown Deer Park, so I’m happy to be playing another round out here tomorrow. It has been really great to have friends and family out watching. I’m thankful to have such great support in my home state and super excited to give it a run, especially feeling that I’m super close to shooting a low number.”
PLAYER NOTES
Robynn Ree
- Ree, 22, is a native of Redondo Beach, California
- Qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open Championship in 2015 as an amateur
- All-Pac 12 First Team member for University of Southern California as freshman in 2016
- Also named 2016 Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) Second Team All-American
- Captured the 2017 East Lake Cup women’s individual title, her final tournament with Trojans
- Continues to study real estate development and take classes through USC in pursuit of degree
- Finished T5 at the Final Stage of the 2017 LPGA Qualifying Tournament to earn Priority List Category 12 membership for the 2018 LPGA Tour season
- Competed in 21 events as rookie on the LPGA Tour in 2018 and played the weekend 10 times with season-best T9 performance at the Cambia Portland Classic
- Stepped into winner’s circle for the first time in professional career at the 2019 CDPHP Open on Capital Hills Golf Course thanks to overall score of 13-under par
- Total of 13 starts so far in first year on Epson Tour, earning eight top-15s and four top-10s
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