Rohanna closes with 74 in IOA Championship
Rachel Rohanna couldn’t shake another rough start on the front nine Sunday, closing the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa with a 2-over 72.
The Waynesburg Central graduate finished tied for 55th with three-round total of 3-over 219.
Daniela Darquae finished first with a 12-under 204.
Rohanna battled her way into the third round with two birdies and an eagle on the back nine to make the cut at 1-over 145.
The momentum of the strong finish, however, dissipated on the front nine Sunday with four bogeys in her first six holes.
“It was a little bit of everything. I couldn’t get any bounces,” said Rohanna.
She carded her fifth bogey of the final round on No. 12 to go to 6-over for the tournament and 5-over for the round. Rohanna recovered with three birdies over the next five holes. She played the back nine in 2-under 34.
Rohanna played the back nine holes in 6-under over the three rounds.
“I finished with three birdies in the last six holes. It was a frustrating start,” said Rohanna. “I only had one 3-putt.
“I just had one bad hole this week (a quadruple bogey on No. 1 in the second round). I could’ve been four shots better. It’s frustrating.
“I’m happy I fought back from the quad (quadruple bogey) and made the cut.”
Rohanna hit 7-of-14 fairways and 12-of-18 greens in regulation. She needed 33 putts in the third round after 29 in the second round. Her driving distance average was 310 yards.
Despite the frustration, Rohanna left the tournament feeling good about her game.
“My ball striking seems to be coming back. I still am knocking off the rust,” said Rohanna. “I think I can shoot 65, 66, 67 again. I just need to get a couple (66s) and get rolling.”
The Symetra Tour now moves on to Mesa, Arizona, for the Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club on Thursday through Saturday. Rohanna has full-time status on the Symetra Tour and partial status on the LPGA Tour.
“I’m basically the 40th alternate on the LPGA Tour,” explained Rohanna. “But, they reshuffle at seven weeks and I have a good chance to get into two or three tournaments.
“Playing full-time on the Symetra Tour (and trying to qualify for LPGA events), I have a full schedule this year. One thing I’ve learned, I need a break. I’ll take a week and come back to Waynesburg to plug in.”