Lizette Salas leads the way at 10-under following first-round play at the Indy Women in Tech Championship Driven by Group 1001.
The California native and No. 27 ranked player in the world wasted no time getting started with an eagle on hole two. She also tallied birdies on four, five and six to make the turn in 31.
Salas put her foot on the pedal for the back nine with birdies on 12, 14 and 16. When the horn sounded for players to evacuate the course at 5:50 p.m. ET Salas had a four foot birdie putt on 17 left to ponder during the near hour long delay. But even a weather delay couldn't slow down Salas as she birdied 17 and 18 to close out her bogey-free 62.
“I didn't even think about it the entire time I was -- during the delay. I was hanging out with Danielle, and she was giving me her silly Dad jokes, so it definitely kept my mind off of it,” said Salas. “I was really excited to be back. And to finish off with birdie on 18 from off the green, which is icing on the cake, so just got to keep it going the next three days.”
Salas definitely likes the layout at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course having finished in the top 5 a year ago.
“I like -- these are bent greens, and that's what I grew up on back in California. So I have been just striking the ball really well this entire year, and just glad some more putts dropped today,” said Salas. “And I was really refreshed. I didn't practice at all last week, and I was just really eager and really excited to be back.”
Yin Puts on a Show
Yin was all smiles and provided the early round fireworks when she notched eight birdies in nine holes. The second-year member’s back nine at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course wasn't as kind though with a bogey on 13 but she still managed to bounce back for a career-best, 64.
“I have never done that before. So I had nine putts I think on the front nine, which is incredible,” said Yin. “Never had that many little putts. But it just felt good. Everything was working. Even on the back nine, when I shot even, I played well. Just didn't go in. The wind picked up. But overall it was very solid.”
The Californian was on fire on the front nine, to maintain that level of play throughout the round is tough.
“Mentally you have to be strong. You can't really think about it,” said Yin. “You have to stay in the present and think about every single shot, and also the conditions, like the front nine from the back nine. So shooting 59, it's hard.”
Defending Champ Thompson Has Strong Starts
After 19-under 197 at Brickyard Crossing Golf Course a year ago to win the Indy Women in Tech Championship Driven by Group 1001, Thompson made six birdies on Thursday against just two bogeys to post a 68 to open her title defense.
The defending champion has yet to find the winner's circle in 2018 but said yesterday she feels good. It’s been a month since the top American has teed it up on the LPGA Tour, after taking a break to work on her mental health.
“I feel good about where my game's at. Just definitely trying to be more relaxed out here and just let my game show,” said Thompson. “I have put in the hard work, and just going to go out and see where it takes me.”
Opening Round Highlights
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