Neshanic Station, NJ (Sports Network) - Lakareber Abe and Cindy Ha both posted
rounds of 4-under 68 in the first round Monday to share the lead of the
stroke-play portion at the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship.
Brittany Altomare, Kristina Merkle and Victoria Fallgren are knotted in third
place at 3-under 69 at Neshanic Valley Golf Course.
Ha started on the 10th tee and netted four birdies and two bogeys on her
opening side. She rolled in a 30-footer from the fringe for birdie at 13.
On the second nine, Ha netted four birdies and two bogeys, including a tap-in
at No. 4.
"Once I got onto my back nine I got a lot steadier," said the 15-year-old Ha,
who became a U.S. citizen last year after her parents were born in South
Korea. "I knew there are a lot of good players, so I tried to go low."
Abe was much steadier than her fellow co-leader on Monday.
She tallied five birdies and a single bogey in round one for her share of the
lead.
"I just tried to stay patient," said Abe. "Sometimes I get ahead of myself but
I didn't today."
Karen Chung, Emilie Burger, Chirapat Jao-Javanil, Demi Frances Runas, Isabella
Lambert, Steffi Neisen, Pailin Ruttanasupagid, Lisa McCloskey, Mai
Dechathipat, Alice Chen, Annie Park, Dana Finkelstein and Gianna Misenhelter
share sixth at 2-under 70.
The Sports Network