Nanna Koerstz Madsen had to make a birdie on her last hole on Friday just to make the cut at the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic. Celine Boutier had to make two birdies on her last three holes to find a spot on the weekend pairing sheet.
They both took full advantage of their newfound fate on Saturday.
Koerstz Madsen made ten birdies to card a 9-under, 63 while Boutier turned in a bogey-free 63. The 2017 Epson Tour graduates both moved from T66 at the start of the day to a tie for second in the early afternoon. At the end of the day, they were tied for 11th.
Koerstz Madsen, who won three times on the Epson Tour last year, has had an admittedly rough season. She has missed the cut in nine of her last ten starts, which is a bit surprising considering her success on the Ladies European Tour and the Epson Tour. This could be the round that triggers the turnaround.
"I've been playing not very well this season, so yesterday I was just like, I really want to make the cut, but that's not how you can think out there," explained Koerstz Madsen, who made a five-footer on the last to advance to the weekend. "We're just really trying not to think about the cut and just try and play some good golf. I was really nervous on that putt because I knew I had to make it. I didn't even know if that was enough, but I made it."
She didn't just make it, she capitalized and showcased all the talent she displayed last year on the qualifying circuit. She hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation and took just 25 strokes with the putter.
Boutier, who won twice on the Epson Tour a year ago, hit every green in regulation on Saturday to post her career low round.
"It was pretty cool," said Boutier. "I didn't really realize that I was that low. I mean, at some point I just lost track of my score."
Boutier is definitely trending in the right direction after a slow start to the year. She has made three of the last four cuts including a T15 two weeks ago at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.
"I'm getting used to the Tour life and you can see that in my golf game," said Boutier. "I was struggling the first couple of weeks and I feel like my golf game is coming together."
Koerstz Madsen and Boutier combined for five wins and 16 top 10s on the Epson Tour last year. It's only a matter of time before they start racking them up on the LPGA. The first of many could come Sunday at Thornberry Creek.
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