It’s a new year for Lizette Salas.
The world No.66 opened with a 68 on Thursday at the Reignwood LPGA Classic, the first strokes towards wiping away what was a disappointing season for the two-time U.S. Solheim Cup member who has already turned her focus towards 2017.
“This is practice for next year. Like just working on things that will help me get better for next season,” Salas told the media. “There is no cut here, so you just got to go in full force and see what happens. Doesn’t work one day, try something else the next day.”
What she tried in round one paid off, opening with a five-under par round to sit in a share of third, three-strokes back of the lead and on track to pick up her first top-10 of the year. Salas put a new putter in her bag this week, one of nearly a dozen she has rotated through her bag over the last year in hopes of regaining the form that earned her a first win at the 2014 Kingsmill Championship.
“I kind of like do a rotation,” Salas said about her putter changes. “Just one of those things where one putter will do the trick one week and another putter will do it the next week. I’m a feel type of person, and just depends on the greens we’re playing.”
This week Salas has gone with Cure Putters, which she also used at the RICOH Women’s British Open where she finished T-25. Her other secret weapon this week is her father who made the trip with her to China.
“He knows me like the back of his hand, so just been giving me short tips,” Salas said about her father. “He doesn’t say much, but when he does speak it’s pretty important.”
While Salas has searched for a spark with her putter she also acknowledges the struggles she’s faced mentally with her game, which has made the game less enjoyable for the 2012 rookie.
“This game is more mental. I tend to beat myself up,” said Salas. “Just like a lot of these players, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves. These next three weeks I am just going to take things lightly and have a lot of fun.”
Could be an exciting 2017 for Salas.
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