Rohanna looks to carry momentum into second round
Rachel Rohanna closed the first round of the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa Friday with consecutive birdies to close at 2-over 74.
Rohanna sits in a tie for 62nd when she takes to the tee at 8:37 a.m. (Pacific) today in Beaumont, California.
Sophia Popov, Samantha Richdale and Emily Tubert share the first round lead at 5-under 67.
The Waynesburg Central graduate opened on No. 10 at Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon and had rough start with consecutive bogeys.
Rohanna recovered the lost shots, however, with a par of birdies to go out in even-par 36.
She struggled on her back nine with four bogeys over a 6-hole stretch to balloon to 4-over par with only two holes remaining.
Rohanna finished strong with a pair of birdies, hoping the momentum would carry over into today’s second round.
Rohanna hit 9-of-14 fairways and 13 greens in regulation. She needed 32 putts to finish her round and averaged a whopping 304 yards on her drivers.
But, it was the putts that captured Rohanna’s attention after her round.
“I hit it well today, I just missed a few putts,” said Rohanna, adding, “I missed a lot of putts inside 10 feet.”