STEEN CONTINUES TO BE SUPER CONSISTENT: Marissa Steen is almost scary consistent. She made six birdies against two bogeys on Friday and did the exact same thing on Saturday and has a win in sight.
“This course reminds me a lot of the course I started playing on in Cincinnati (The Hamilton Elks) and it also reminds me of the one I currently play on (Shaker Run),” said Steen. “The green complexes are really similar to the greens back home. I feel really comfortable on the course.”
Steen has three top 10 finishes this year and has placed inside the top 20 in all seven events.
“Before Greenwood, my coach told me that I was being way to conservative with my lines,” said Steen. “He said that I’m hitting the ball really well and I just need to trust myself and be aggressive. Since then, I have been working on that. I’ve gone into this stretch with more confidence.”
Steen won three times on the Epson Tour in 2014.
“You generally need a low number out here on Sunday to win,” said Steen. “That’s not what I’m focusing on, I just want to hit good shots. If I do that, everything will take care of itself.”
ANOTHER FORMER LSU PLAYER THRIVES: The 2016 season has been dominated by former LSU All-American Madelene Sagstrom, who broke the single-season earnings record last week. This week, her teammate and roommate at one time, Lindsay Gahm, is representing for the Bayou with Sagstrom taking a week off. Gahm posted a 3-under 68 to move to solo fourth at 6-under, 136.
“This feels great,” said Gahm, who has missed the cut in four of her five starts this year. “I’ve been hitting the ball pretty close on some holes and making some easy birdies.”
Her only hiccup was a double-bogey on the 14th hole. She rebounded with a birdie on the 18th.
Gahm, who caddied for Sagstrom at the IOA Championship after missing the cut, says she is learning a lot from her success.
“It is amazing what she has done and I am so happy for her,” said Gahm. “It has been so much fun watching her from her freshman year until now. I’ve learned a lot from her just watching and seeing how much she has improved.”
QUICK NOTES
• Both Massachusetts natives missed the cut: Kaitlin Coons of Wilbraham (75-72) and Jacquelyn Eleey of Quincy (74-77).
• Nelly Korda has back-to-back 70’s and is in a tie for 23rd at -2, 140. Her big sister, Jessica Korda, is in a tie for second at the Volvik Championship on the LPGA.
• Isi Gabsa, Jennifer Kirby and Juliet Vongphoumy each carded the low round of the day with 6-under, 66’s. Vongphoumy moved from T116 to T60.
)
)
)
)
