Rohanna shoots 2-under again
Donning West Greene’s school colors of blue and gold Friday, Rachel Rohanna shot a 2-under 69 for the second round in a row to make the cut at the Meijer LPGA Classic For Simply Give.
The Waynesburg Central graduate is tied in 30th place with a two-day total of 4-under 138.
“It’s nice that I put two rounds together,” said Rohanna, who tees off No. 10 today at 10:25 a.m. in the third round.
Canadian Brooke Henderson leads at the midpoint at 12-under 130.
Rohanna opened on the back nine at Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a bogey, birdie and seven pars to go out in even-par 35.
She got on a roll after making the turn with three birdies in the first five holes to go to 5-under for the tournament.
Rohanna gave one of those strokes back with a bogey on No. 7, her 16th hole, but recovered the stroke with her fifth birdie of the round on the next hole.
She closed with a bogey on her final hole to come back in 2-under 34.
Rohanna’s 2-under in Thursday’s first round was different with two birdies and 16 pars.
Even though the scores were the same on the card, Rohanna doesn’t feel they were similar rounds.
“I felt I played better yesterday,” said Rohanna. “A couple more (putts) went in, that was the biggest thing.
“I was getting my wedges closer (in the first round). (The problem) was left and right, mostly. If I get more reps in practice (before the third round), that might help.”
Rohanna hit 6-of-13 fairways and 10-of-18 greens in regulation. She needed 25 putts in the second round, but Rohanna said the stats were a bit deceiving.
“I’m able to hit it far enough to carry the corners. This course sets up well for me,” said Rohanna, who averaged over 295 yards on her drives. “It’s just that you can’t expect to make 20-, 30-footers on the green all the time.”
Rohanna said the course and weather conditions are similar to those at home in Pennsylvania.
“It’s been really hot and humid. The ball flies further. I have to make little adjustments,” explained Rohanna. “This course is more similar to Pennsylvania than the Midwest. It’s definitely hillier. That plays to my advantage.”
Rohanna’s dad Tom is usually on her bag, but was unable to carry in the first round so he’s in the gallery with his wife Debbie and son-in-law, Ethan Virgili.
“I have a different person on my bag. He’s a good guy. He the boyfriend of a good friend on the LPGA Tour,” said Rohanna.
Though, with a laugh, Rohanna said she has trouble understanding him occasionally because “he’s from Georgia.”
Although she was in the middle of the tournament, Rohanna’s husband kept her informed about her home county Lady Pioneers.
“Ethan came up and told me West Greene came back and won. Congratulations to them,” said Rohanna.