RESULTS REVOLVE AROUND MENTAL GAME FOR TAVATANAKIT
Coming off her first career win as a professional, Patty Tavatanakit (Bangkok, Thailand) is one of three players tied for the lead of 8-under par through two rounds in the fifth annual Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic at Brook-Lea Country Club.
Playing for a second straight week on a Donald Ross-designed course, there still seems to be a different feel for Tavatanakit despite the consistency of the architect.
“I know it’s designed by the same person, but there’s so many differences from tee to green and the tree lines make it more narrow compared to last week,” said Tavatanakit, who recorded six birdies this afternoon. “The greens are more doable, putts are dropping easier even though there’s still some sliders. You have to be aware of where you leave it. I’m hitting it pretty well."
Despite the solid performance so far, Tavatanakit points to the fact that the score truly begins and ends with how she handles her mentality throughout the round.
“Anything can happen out here, just need to focus on what I can control and manage my mental game better,” Tavatanakit said. “I did it well today, not so much yesterday. Two more rounds to be disciplined toward it and make decisions based on logic, not emotion. The golf will then speak for itself. Every hole is a birdie opportunity for me when clean and focused on the mental game. I would say I’m capable of making the impossible come possible. With the right mindset, low scores will be there.”
SON CONTINUES HOT STREAK
A 5-under par 67 in the second round of the Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic tied a career low for Yujeong Son (Busan, Republic of Korea), who is 8-under overall and one of the 36-hole co-leaders in western New York.
The Epson Tour rookie has back-to-back top-10 finishes, including a season-best tied for fourth result in French Lick, Ind. last week at the Donald Ross Classic. Those performances have instilled a confidence that has helped her climb the leaderboard at the 15th “Road to the LPGA” stop.
“I think I finally got the hang of playing in these tournaments weekly and my game is coming together really well,” said Son. “I was really struggling with my putting during the first half of the season. I like this course and the greens spin well. There are trees you have to carry, so you have to hit the driver straight. I’m confident in my game right now, but won’t get too far ahead of myself.”
“THIS GAME SHOULD BE CALLED PUTTING”
Her entire repertoire may not be working as a whole, but Maude-Aimee Leblanc (Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada) is still one of three individuals looking down on the rest of the field at 8-under par overall.
The current 36-hole result for Leblanc can be credited to her work during Prasco Charity Championship week, when she took time off to recalibrate all aspects of her putting. That process included going back to a Ping Ketsch TR Technology putter that she last used a few years ago.
“The swing doesn’t feel good, but the putter does,” Leblanc said after a 5-under par 67 today. “That is what has been holding me back so far this season. Three weeks ago, I changed my putter, putting style, posture and grip. I changed everything and so far it has been working really well. This game should be called putting because it is all about putting. Even if my swing is a little off here, it’s not too narrow that it will get me in trouble.”
NOTABLE QUOTES
Maddie Szeryk (-7, T4) on finding a groove after back-to-back missed cuts:
“Last week I struggled a little the first day. Hit it well and putted well, but made some dumb mistakes. Then in the second round I played better, so knew coming in that the game was there. I just have to be careful around the course and I’ve done that the last two days, just playing a bit smarter.”
Danielle Lemek (-7, T4) on the four-day event and how her week at home helped:
“The extra day is a comforting thing because I don’t have to do it tomorrow, but have another day to put a couple decent rounds together. I’m glad I took last week off with the last five weeks being frustrating for me. It has been like trying to piece the puzzle together. My drive was good one week, the next it’s my irons, then putting, but never together. I did some work with my dad at home and it is paying off.”
Elin Arvidsson (-3, T33) on a 6-under par second round to make her 10th cut in 14 starts this season:
“After the round yesterday, I told my coach that there’s nothing to worry about, will solve it tomorrow. I just had a little bit of a down day. Playing solid for a lot of weeks, you can carry on with the confidence and not let one day destroy you. In the past when I didn’t have that good confidence, I would have been freaking out and not feel good. Today, I realized there’s tons of birdies and went with a good mindset.”
PLAYER NOTES
Yujeong Son
- Son, 18, is a native of Busan, Republic of Korea
- Won the Oklahoma Class 6A individual state title as a freshman in 2016, her lone season of prep golf at Norman High School
- Competed as an amateur in the 2017 Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship and 2018 U.S. Women’s Open at Shoal Creek
- Claimed medalist honors at First Stage of the 2018 LPGA Qualifying Tournament in Rancho Mirage with score of 10-under par overall
- Finished T69 at the Second Stage of the 2018 LPGA Qualifying Tournament to earn Epson Tour status for 2019 season, her rookie year
- Fulfilled her high school education requirements through the Connections Academy online program and graduated in December 2018
- Originally set her career low of 5-under par 67 in the first round of the inaugural Zimmer Biomet Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez
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