The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOR the past two years, Grand Bahamian Racquel Riley had to watch from the sidelines. But this year, she’s hoping to make the best of her opportunity to play in the third annual Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic after getting the exemption from the Bahamas Golf Federation.

“It feels awesome,” said Riley, who will be the face for the Bahamas at this year’s tournament that is currently underway at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island. “I take the position and I’m going to do my best. It’s good that I can go out there and represent my country again, so it’s a great feeling.”

Riley, 33, earned the exemption berth this year when she beat our Georgette Rolle in the Bahamas Golf Federation’s recent qualifier. Riley, who is in the process of completing her LPGA accreditation to become a Certified LPGA Teaching Professional, said it’s a dream come true to be playing before the home crowd in the prestigious $1.3 million tournament.

“There is a little bit of a homecourt advantage, but not so much because I haven’t played here that much. I played a lot here during my junior golf days,” she said. “In the professional ranks, I haven’t played here that much, so I think the homecourt advantage will come from the Bahamian people supporting me all around the course.”

The tournament got started with the qualifying round yesterday where Rolle fell short of advancing. The main draw is slated to start on Thursday and Riley will have to play through Friday in order to qualify for the final two days of competition on Saturday and Sunday.

Seven of the top 10 players in the Rolex Rankings and 18 of the top 25 have committed to play in the tournament, including defending champion Jessica Korda. The early commitments list also includes world No. 1 Inbee Park, No. 2 Lydia Ko and No. 3 Stacy Lewis. Ilhee Lee, who won the inaugural edition, is also entered.

Is there any pressure on Riley to play against some of the world’s best at home?

“There will always be pressure. I think there’s going to be some nerves,” she said. “I played against some of these girls before in a mini-tour that I used to play on called the Sun Coast Series, but I’ve never played against all of these players at once. So it’s going to be nerves, but that’s normal. It all depends on how well I can deal with the nerves.

“My short game has to be on point. Everyone out here can hit the ball. There are some who can hit it longer than others, but when it’s all said and done and the dust has been cleared, it will be the person who chips and putts the best that will take home the crown.”

Riley, who will be using a Jamaican-born caddy who has been residing in the Bahamas for quite a while, said she can only go out and give it her best shot. Hopefully, she will put together two impressive rounds of golf so that she can survive to play in the final two days of competition when the eventual champions will be decided and the prize money distributed to the top finishers.