Rohanna shoots 1-under in first round of Q School
If Rachel Rohanna can leave the Plantation Golf & Country Club feeling as she did after the opening round of Stage II of LPGA Q School three more times, then the Waynesburg Central graduate stands a pretty good chance of advancing to Stage III in December.
Rohanna shot a 1-under 71 in the first round on the Panther course, rebounding after a tough opening hole on No. 10.
“It was an excellent 1-under-par,” said Rohanna. “Starting with a double bogey, this is not an easy course.
“If I knew I had a 71 to start out (back when she first attempted to qualify), I’d be very happy. “
Brogan McKinnon holds the first-round lead after shooting a 6-under 66 on the Panther course. The low 80 scores and ties advance to Stage III.
Rain in Florida is not unexpected, but dousing rains over the past week really dampened the course.
“The course is so damp. Every shot plugged. I started on No. 10 and my tee shot didn’t miss the fairway by much, but it plugged and I couldn’t find it. I had to go back to the tee and rehit,” said Rohanna. “I ended up taking a double bogey.”
Rohanna gathered herself with three consecutive pars, including on No. 13, saying, “It was an awesome par. It was a par-5. I hit behind a tree and hit a cut punch shot out.”
She slipped with a bogey on No. 14, but birdied two of the final four holes to go out in 1-over 37.
Rohanna settled down on her back nine, with birdies on Nos. 4, 8 and 9 and just a lone bogey on No. 7.
“I played the last 13 holes in 4-under. That’s really good for me,” said Rohanna. “I hit the ball okay. I kept in play. If I play like this the rest of the week, I’ll be okay.”
Rohanna moves to the Bobcat course today for the second of four qualifying rounds. She tees off No. 1 at 8 a.m.
“I have the first tee time. I’m pretty excited about that. We should be able to zoom right around the course,” said Rohanna.
“The Bobcat course is more wide open with similar greens. These courses are very tricky. High numbers can sneak up on you,” said Rohanna of Plantation’s other course. “If I don’t get out of control, the Bobcat is more scoreable for me. I’ll keep the ball in play and let my putter do the rest.”
Rohanna has learned a hard lesson or two from past qualifying attempts.
“It’s really not over until the last shot,” said Rohanna.