BABCOCK TAKES THREE-STROKE LEAD

After a long afternoon, Taylor Babcock (Lake Oswego, Ore.) shot the only under-par round of the day to lead the Championship division after the first round of the LPGA Professionals National Championship by three strokes at 1-under-par. Babcock, who works at Pinebrook Country Club in Boston, Mass. and Indian Creek Country Club in Miami, Fla., said she kept her strategy simple on the course.

“I felt like I stayed calm, relaxed, and I was in my thinking box. When I needed to switch over to my play box, I did,” said Babcock, echoing fellow T&CP members Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson and their teaching program, Vision54. “I really kept emotions under control and really did one shot at a time, with help from my caddie.”

LPGA and PGA Master Professional Alison Curdt (Reseda, Calif.) sits in solo second at 2-over-par, with three tied for third at 3-over: Michelle Murphy (Sherrill, N.Y.), Brittany Kelly (Indianapolis, Ind.) and defending champion Stephanie Connelly Eiswerth (Fleming Island, Fla.).

Eiswerth, who won in her tournament debut last year, said she is very competitive and has high expectations for her play at Pinehurst No. 8. “I love this golf course. It’s a very good challenge, but I think to start, the front nine was a bit rough,” said Eiswerth. “I was up and down and then I settled more into it on the back.”

Jordan Lintz (Milford, Conn.), who is tied for sixth at four-over along with Kelli McKandless (Aurora, Colo.), agreed that the course was a difficult test. “Pinehurst was definitely a challenge today. I hit a lot of good shots today, but it is very punishing when you may make even the smallest mistake,” said Lintz. “I had a few putts that were definitely more than a challenge. The green speed is super fast. You have to pay attention to the down-grain, up-grain and it’s just a punishing golf course and you have to keep your head on.”

PINEHURST A SURREAL EXPERIENCE FOR TAYLOR BABCOCK

When Taylor Babcock was growing up, her dream was to play among the best in the world on the LPGA Tour. She is one step closer after 18 holes at the LPGA Professionals National Championship, where she holds a three-stroke advantage after shooting a 1-under 71. The top-eight finishers in the Championship division will earn exemptions into the 2020 KPMG PGA Women’s Championship, to be held June 23-28 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa.

Babcock said a earning a spot at the major championship is “absolutely” her motivation to do well this week, even though she has never played Pinehurst No. 8. “This is my first time playing. I had a practice round yesterday and just got the lay of the land, and really stuck to one shot at a time, because you can get to overthinking,” said Babcock.

Babcock said no matter the result, she feels fortunate to be playing at Pinehurst and in the National Championship. “It was a treat to even be in the players meeting last night. It feels like a huge deal to be a part of the LPGA and the LPGA Professionals,” said Babcock. “This is a bit of a dream come true. It’s only day one, so I have to go out and keep things in line and put the same thing together tomorrow. “

MADISON HOLDS LEAD IN CHALLENGE DIVISION

Jacqueline Madison (Stilwell, Kan.) fought through the first round at Pinehurst to walk away the leader in the Challenge Division after day one at 4-over-par. Annie Rodriguez (Naples, Fla.), Joellyn Crooks (Fuquay Varina, N.C.) and 2018 champion and Pinehurst native Charlaine Hirst linger just one shot behind. Hirst had the biggest gallery of the day, which seemed to only aid her confidence. “I’m as relaxed as I can be. It’s usually the first three holes that it takes me to loosen up and lighten up and realize I don’t do this anymore,” said Hirst. “It’s fun. It’s a pleasure to have [the crowd] see what I am teaching them and see it in action hopefully.””

Despite being the hometown favorite, Hirst said she knows she must work hard to secure a win. “We’ve got a nice group of girls in the challenge flight, so you want to just hang in there the first couple of days to make the cut and then go wherever,” she said.

THREE LEAD SENIOR DIVISION

Maggie Will (Richmond, Va.), Jamie Fischer (Lake Forest, Ill.) and Lisa Grimes (Alexandria, Minn.) currently sit tied for first in the Senior Division after shooting even-par rounds of 72 in Monday’s first round at Pinehurst No. 8.

Will, who also co-led after the first round in 2018, said the course was more challenging than she expected. “The fairways are still a tiny bit soft, so you weren’t quite getting the roll, so I wouldn’t say it played long but a few clubs here and there,” said Will. “There was a little wind which made it tricky, but I think LPGA Professionals and Pinehurst do a great job setting this up. It’s just a great place to come and play.”

Fischer is making her debut in the Senior division, after last playing in the tournament 10 years ago in the Championship division and was impressed with her play. “The course is in great condition,” Fischer said. “If you hit good shots, you certainly get rewarded like all golf courses, but a very enjoyable course to play. Different holes have different looks and you’re challenged everywhere.”

Alicia Dibos (Greenwich, Conn.) sits close behind after shooting a 1-over 73, while Laura Shanahan Rowe (Hampton, N.H.) and defending Senior division champion Barbara Moxness (Edina, Minn.) are tied for third at 2-over-par. Moxness said it took time to find her groove, but she is ready to improve tomorrow. “The greens held better today. Last year we always had to hit the front and hope it would stay on. This year we could fly it a little more to the pin, so that was a difference,” said Moxness. “The greens are still tough to putt. They’re still fast, and that’s always an adventure.”

The top-eight finishers and ties in the Senior division will qualify for the 2019 Senior LPGA Championship at the French Lick Resort as well as any competitors over the age of 45 who finish in the top 10 in the Championship division.

IMRIE READY FOR SOLHEIM

Kathryn Imrie teed off at the LPGA Professionals National Championship at 8:30 a.m., right before U.S. Solheim Cup team captain Juli Inkster announced her picks on Golf Channel’s Morning Drive. Imrie said she wanted no distractions, so the European Team vice-captain decided not to check her phone before playing – meaning she would have to wait until after her round to find out the rest of the opposing team.

When she signed in the scoring tent, she read a text from captain Catriona Matthews, and exclaimed to her playing partners, “It’s official – Morgan Pressel and Stacy Lewis.”

Imrie, who sits T23 at 6-over-par, knew how difficult it was for the U.S. captain. “Juli was obviously under a lot of distress. It was a really hard choice to make and she’s gone with experience, which is probably the right thing to do given she’s got so many rookies and so many people who haven’t played abroad,” said Imrie. “I think both captains are delighted the decisions are made and they’ve done their hard part. It’s not easy, by any means, but they just have to live by their decisions and game on.”

The LPGA Tour winner is excited to return to her native Scotland alongside fellow countrywoman and friend, Matthews. “Two Scots people in Scotland is a huge deal,” said Imrie. “With Laura Davies and Mel Reid now as vice captains, it’s a really good gathering. The energy on the team is really awesome, and we’re all ready. We just want it to happen now.”

NOTABLE QUOTES

Jordan Lintz (T6, +4) on what she learned from her experience playing at Pinehurst No. 8 last year:

“I remember last year the first day was really an eye-opener as far as green speed and paying attention to the grain. I think I learned a lot last year, just understanding that I have to pay more attention to my approach shots. Can’t just hit a standard 150 yard shot; you got to really understand where to land it or not to land it because you land it in the wrong spot – even if it’s perfect yardage - you can be punished severely.”

Defending champion Charlaine Hirst on her roller coaster round:

“I drove the ball well, then I didn’t drive it well. Putting was good. I made some really good ones coming up the back nine, but if I had to improve anything it would be my wedges. But right now I’m not going to go work on anything. I may go have a cocktail.”

Maggie Will (T1, E), on returning to North Carolina to play:

“I think it’s really special. There are a few North Carolina natives here and we were so nervous at the U.S. Senior Open at Pine Needles, being on our home turf. I live in Virginia now, but it’s always special to come to North Carolina and sip on some sweet tea.”

Pinehurst A Surreal Experience and More From Round One of the LPGA Professionals National Champonship

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