Stephanie Meadow and Leona Maguire kept pace with some hot scoring on day one in Hawaii despite the wind picking up for their afternoon start on day one of the LPGA’s LOTTE Championship. Meadow fired a five-under par round of 67 to Maguire’s four-under 68 as Yuka Saso and Brittany Altomare headed the field at eight-under par in Kapolei.
Leave the putter in the bag, @leona_maguire ?
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— LPGA (@LPGA) April 14, 2021
Meadow had six birdies on her card through an impressive first 13 holes, then bogeyed 14, birdied 15, bogeyed 16, birdied 17 before a final hole bogey ensured a share of 7th overnight at five-under par.
“It was good,” Meadow reflected. “It definitely got windy. It was a little difficult to judge. Obviously I had a great front nine and then a little bit birdie-bogey on the back there at the end, which is a little annoying, but still played really solid.”
Meadow was asked how her mindset would change given she’s out later today in the morning half of the draw with the wind again not expected to get up until the afternoon.
“Not a whole lot,” she said. “Just kind of stay aggressive and just play each hole at a time, as corny as it sounds. The winning score here is going to be super low I think if it stays like this. So, you know, hopefully I can take advantage of a little less wind in the morning.”
As for how she’s enjoying being back on paradise island, surrounded by oceans views, golden sand and a calming sea breeze, Meadow had her perspective fully intact.
“I love coming here. We all always stay in the same condos is it’s right by the beach and it’s very relaxing. Coming to a new golf course is a little extra preparation than before but not a whole lot. What you see is what you get kind of here, which is nice on the preparation side. But it’s hard to be in a bad mood here. Let’s be honest.”
It might’ve been Leona Maguire’s debut in the championship but she performed like a season pro – the Cavan professional at home in the breeze to card a blemish-free four-birdie round of 68. 15 greens in regulation will get it done most weeks with Maguire needing 30 putts as she shares 14th place overnight, just four back of the leaders.
Thursday’s round two tee-times, Irish time
- Maguire – 6.33pm / Meadow- 7.50pm
- Full scoring HERE
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