It all started on No. 1 and by the end of her third round at Wilshire Country Club, Morgan Pressel had six “birthday birdies” on the scorecard for caddie Barry “Rock” Cesarz, who turned 51 today.
“Every time it is one of our birthdays, we always play for birthday birdies,” said Pressel, who has worked with Rock since 2009. “I was standing over the putt on the first hole and I’m like, ‘Okay, birthday birdie No. 1, knock it in.’ It kind of went from there. Rock is more than a caddie; he’s one of my best friends.”
Pressel ended up shooting 5-under par 66 on Friday. With 18 holes remaining, she is tied for seventh at 8-under overall.
“I think it is a really fun course to play,” Pressel said. “Almost every hole you can make birdie, but there is a lot of opportunities for other scores. Just like my shot on 18. I know the only place you can’t be is left. You shouldn’t be there in the first place and I know that. You just have to manage your game. The only hole I had to do any work on really, was the last one.”
It’s not only a really fun course to play for Pressel, but it produces solid results for the 16-year LPGA Tour veteran. She finished tied for seventh in 2018 and tied for third in 2019.
“I would love another effort like today,” said Pressel, who hit 13 greens in regulation this afternoon. “It would be great. I just really love this golf course. It suits my eye. I’ve played well here the past two times and going to come out tomorrow, give myself some opportunities and make some more putts.”
)
)
)
)
