CLYBURN FINDS COMPLETE GAME
Through 18 holes in The CDPHP Open at Capital Hills Golf Course, Holly Clyburn (Cleethorpes, England) leads the way by one stroke following an opening round bogey-free, 7-under par 64.
“I’ve been waiting for this, especially since it has been a stressful 12 months,” said Clyburn. “I knew if I took it easy early in the week that I could shoot a nice number coming in. Practice was normal, but on the course took it lightly. Reserved a bit of energy, but did some gym work to keep cardio and strength.”
The performance ties a career low for Clyburn. She pointed to the layout playing into her gameplan as one of the reasons for success.
“My 3-wood is the go-to club and I can hit it a reasonable distance off the tee, so it won’t kill me using it out here,” Clyburn said. “From playing earlier in the week to the shape it is in now, it has come leaps and bounds. The greens are rolling what you expect them to be. The scores are low, so just need to keep going when I see what tomorrow brings.”
PRESSEL FEELING REFRESHED AFTER ATTENDING WEDDING
Making her sixth start in The CDPHP Open, Madison Pressel (Boca Raton, Florida) sits one shot back of the lead and tied for second after a 6-under par 65 on day one in the Capital Region.
“This is where I started my professional career in 2013, right after I graduated they gave me a sponsor exemption to get some experience before Q-School,” said Pressel, who captured her best showing at the event of solo ninth in 2014. “I’ve been back as much as I can since and enjoy returning. The community is great and it’s a fun course.”
The University of Texas alumna missed the Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic last week to attend the wedding of good friend and former Epson Tour pro Calle Nielson. Spending a weekend in Nashville and away from the game provided a little time to refresh for the season’s home stretch.
“It was good to be with friends, celebrate an amazing wedding and enjoy a really weekend,” Pressel said. “Nice to practice a little bit, but didn’t do anything Saturday through Monday.”
LEBLANC CONTINUES STRONG EFFORT ON THE GREENS
Coming off a third top-10 this season, Maude-Aimee Leblanc (Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada) picked up right where she left off in Rochester, N.Y. with a 6-under par 65 this afternoon in Albany. As her swing continues to show steady improvement, Leblanc has found a groove in the putting department.
“Just like the first two rounds last week, my putting today was good,” Leblanc said. “Even if I missed a short putt with the greens getting bumpy toward the end of the round, it was pretty solid. It’s good momentum and it’ll be nice to get cooler weather in the morning, fresh greens too. The swing feels better than last week, so I’m happy about that and just made a small adjustment in my ball position.”
NOTABLE QUOTES
Lauren Coughlin (-5, T4) on conditions at Capital Hills Golf Course:
“It played a lot different than earlier in the week since the fairways dried up a good little bit, so you can actually get some roll. The greens are in good shape, good speed and good condition. I missed a bogey putt today then holed out for eagle. It’s always good to have a solid start, especially coming back in the morning to stay in a nice rhythm.”
Lindsey McCurdy (-5, T4) on her approach to the first and second round:
“I’m from Texas, so the wind and heat wasn’t too bad at all. The conditions made you want to go for the pins, and I was pretty aggressive all day. It’s nice to post a good score and then go out again early feeling like you can do the same thing.”
Jenny Coleman (-4, T10) on her opening round coming off a career-best finish:
“Just keep getting confidence from it, when you’re hitting the ball to fairways and greens it keeps things simple. Had a fun group with Michelle [Piyapattra] and Madison [Pressel], so it was a good environment to play. Saw some birdies and fed off them, started making some too. It was just fun and easy.”
PLAYER NOTES
Holly Clyburn
- Clyburn, 28, is a native of Cleethorpes, England and turned professional in October 2012
- Finished T25 at 2012 Lalla Aicha Tour School to earn full Ladies European Tour status
- Curtis Cup team member of Great Britain & Ireland in 2010, as well as victorious 2012 squad
- 2013 rookie on the LET captured title in first event at the Deloitte Ladies Open in Amsterdam
- T15 at Final Stage of 2015 LPGA Qualifying Tournament to earn LPGA Tour membership for the 2016 season
- Recorded second professional win at 2015 Bing Lee Fujitsu NSW Women’s Open on Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) Tour
- Member of Team England in the 2016 UL International Crown posting a 2-1-0 overall record
- Total of 50 career starts on LPGA tour with a career-best result of T20 at the 2016 Kia Classic
)
)
)
)
