The Cambia Portland Classic was a first for Brittany Lincicome: it was the first time she ventured to an LPGA Tour event in 2020 without daughter Emery by her side. It was a new experience for the #LPGAMom, who returned to play back in January at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions after giving birth in July 2019.

“It was sad. First day or two, I cried when she left. Luckily, Brittany Lang let me hang with Shea (Lang’s daughter) a bunch, so I got to at least be around a baby a bit, which was good,” said Lincicome. “It was hard. It's hard being selfish and wanting to take Emery with me every week, but then obviously my husband doesn't get to see her every week at home. I'm trying to share, but obviously I want her to travel with me every week. She's out this week and then she will go home next week. We're trying to share, but it's definitely hard and I miss her.”

Lincicome returns to the ShopRite LPGA Classic for the first time since 2017 where she finished T12, this time around with Emery in tow. The eight-time LPGA Tour winner and two-time major champion has made every cut in seven events played this season but is left wanting more. Lincicome said her goal is to “figure out how to get back to the top of the leaderboard,” one way or another, but knows her little one will still be waiting for her at the end of the day no matter what she scores.

“Obviously, taking time off from maternity and having Emery and the slow start to this season, it was almost like a full-year break, which I've never done. Getting back into the swing of things, into a rhythm when you have a week, a week off, it's hard to get a rhythm. So that’s been challenging,” said Lincicome. “And then the whole competition part of it. Playing at home with your buddies and trying to practice is great. When you come back out and tee it up in an LPGA Tour event, the pressure and nerves, even for a non-major like Toledo, Atlantic City, still make me super nervous.

“Just trying to get out of my own way, getting back to how I used to play and being carefree. I thought after having Emery, it's not a big deal anymore. I can go home and give her a hug and still see her smiling face and know I still have this beautiful daughter.”

Lincicome Aiming High with Daughter Emery by Her Side

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