Sarah Jane Smith off to best start of the year
Australian Sarah Jane Smith hasn’t notched a top 10 yet this season, but her past results haven’t stopped her from getting off to a fine start at the first round of the Citibanamex Lorena Ochoa Invitiational presented by Aeromexico and Delta. Her 5-under-par total has her tied for the lead with local Carlota Ciganda.
Smith and Ciganda played together Thursday, and Smith surged into a tie for the lead thanks to a five-birdie binge on the back nine.
“I love playing with (Ciganda), she is so nice and we always have fun, so it absolutely makes a difference,” said Smith.
Despite the weariness of the Asian Swing, and then coming over to Mexico before ending up in Naples for the season finale, Smith was able to find some energy for a fine opening round.
“There is a few bags under the eyes, a little jet lag this week for sure if you came from Japan, but it’s a lot to look forward to. It’s a great week here, and then Naples is the season-ending event, and then home,” she explained. “It’s exciting.”
Smith said a key point for her – and something she’ll take into Friday’s round – is the birdie she made on the final hole, to cap off her bogey-free second nine. That bogey-free stretch came after making back-to-back bogeys on No’s 8 and 9.
“I was sitting in between clubs and I wanted to hit the full shot and my husband, who caddies for me, was like, ‘just hit the little one,’ and I hit the little one. I thought maybe I should have hit the full one,” she admitted. “It was kind of one of those things where you kind of play smart, and I was able to put the putt in for birdie so it was a good finish. It ended on a high note.”
Smith came into this week feeling rejuvenated after a strong discussion with her coach as well.
“I spoke with my coach in Japan, I sorted things out, so it was nice to put a good round on the board and build my confidence a little. It was important today,” she explained. “With me being away for so long, I over-exaggerated something that we were doing and then when we got back to normal, it helped me get everything else back. It was nice to get some good feelings again.”
Amateur Hour: Maria Fassi sits tied for third
Amateur Maria Fassi of Mexico had a dream start to her tournament, firing a three-under-par 69, and sitting tied for third after Thursday’s opening round.
“I was really solid off the tee. I gave myself a lot of opportunities to be a little more aggressive on my second shots. There were not a lot of birdie opportunities (out there) but the ones I had I made them, so I think it was a pretty solid round,” she said.
Fassi, who has played in two other LPGA Tour events and is a member of the Arkansas Razorbacks golf team said this opportunity is ‘outstanding.’
“I am really grateful for her to invite me and have me play here. I’m thrilled to be here and it is just amazing,” Fassi explained.
Pre-tournament Fassi said she didn’t have any specific goals she wanted to achieve this week, instead she focused on her process and having fun. She did say she was happy to see how many people were in the crowd supporting her throughout the day.
“I worked really hard on preparing for this tournament and on the first tee when they said my name, I was nervous, I’m not going to lie,” she admitted. “But after I hit the fairway on the first tee, I was like, ‘OK you got it, just enjoy your round,’ and that’s what I did.”
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