Rohanna has rough start in Marathon Classic
Rachel Rohanna had a solid start to her first tournament since March, but faltered later in the first round Thursday afternoon to shoot an 8-over 79 at the Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning and O-I.
The Waynesburg Central graduate, playing in her first tournament since the birth of her daughter a month ago, sits in a tie for 136th place after the first round.
In-Kyung Kim, Yani Tseng, Jacqui Concolino and Katelyn Dambaugh share the first-round lead at 5-under 66.
Rohanna opened play on No. 10 with a par-par start.
“I hit a 5-wood (on the first tee). I was a nice drive, perfect,” said Rohanna. “I got that one out of the way.”
She bogeyed three of the next five holes, but got a stroke back with a birdie-4 on No. 17. However, she gave the stroke back with a bogey on No. 18 to go out in 3-over 40.
The back nine started poorly, although Rohanna was able to rebound.
She had a double bogey-6 on No. 1 after the turn, but followed with five straight pars to remain at 5-over for the round.
“It’s tough to double from 110 yards out,” Rohanna said with a chuckle.
However, Rohanna was unable to keep the par run going, closing out the round with three straight bogeys to come back in 5-over 39.
“I played pretty solid. I hit the ball well. My putting was pretty atrocious,” said Rohanna. “I hit a couple not-so-great shots, but I played well enough to play even par.”
Rohanna hit 9-of-14 fairways and 9-of-18 greens in regulation. Offcially, she needed 34 putts to complete the round, but had 37 by her count.
“My putting was a little bit of everything. I had 10-, 15-foot putts for birdie I was leaving short,” said Rohanna. “I missed greens in not ideal places. It was tough to get up and down.
“The greens were really firm, but not super fast. I was just not judging things well today.”
“I had a lot of opportunities I missed for birdies. That would’ve evened out the bogeys,” continued Rohanna.
Rohanna doesn’t plan anything drastic for the second round, but she will have a different club in her bag.
“I’m switching putters. Hopefully, I putt better,” said Rohanna, adding with a laugh, “I will find a special place for (her putter) tonight.”
Rohanna felt she handled the grind of playing 18 holes.
“I fell great physically. That’s what’s frustrating. I wouldn’t think putting would be my downfall,” said Rohanna.
Rohanna tees off No. 1 at 7:15 a.m.
“(The early tee time) will be nice,” said Rohanna.
Rohanna had her family watching her daughter, Gemelia, in the Tour-provided daycare, but the first day on the job, as is the case with new moms, was difficult.
“I got to see her at the turn for a couple minutes,” said Rohanna. “It’s great to have my husband and family out to help me out.”