The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

While American Brittany Lincicome had a sizzling day on the sunny opening day of the fifth Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Golf Classic on scenic Paradise Island, Bahamian Georgette Rolle had her best showing ever.

However, as Lincicome emerged on top of the leaderboard of the 108 field of female golfers with a Ocean Golf Club course record nine-under-par 64, Rolle finished in a two-way tie for 102 with Charley Hull at three-over-par 76.

“I got started pretty well. I was three-under after eight, but somewhere along the back (nine) I kind of let a few shots slip away for a couple double bogeys, which was very costly,” said Rolle, who experienced her share of problems on the 11th and 16th holes where she had the double bogeys.

“I’m hitting the ball well and I’m putting very well. I’m just going to go back to the putting range later today and work on my game and hopefully I will play even better.”

That was yesterday. Today, she will be back on the course as she improved on her performance yesterday when she also bogeyed the ninth, 14th and 17th holes as she finished with a 34 on the front nine holes, but slipped to 43 on the back nine.

It’s definitely her best outing in the three previous years she was awarded the Bahamas’ exemption card in the prestigious tournament. Last year, she shot rounds of 82-85 for 167 as she missed the cut, matching the 167 (83-84) she produced in 2013.

“I just have to keep doing what I did today,” said Rolle as she looks ahead to try and avoid getting eliminated from the tournament when the final cut is made today. “Once I get on a hot start, I hope to focus and keep it going.”

Despite dropping down in the standings, Rolle said the weather was excellent and she had a golden opportunity to make her shots to keep her hopes alive.

Her caddie, Marcus Pratt, decked out in an army outfit, said she’s right where she needs to be.

“On those short irons coming into the green, her shots have to be more precise and then, after doing nine holes, our efforts need to be up a tad bit and we will be solid for tomorrow,” he stated.

“There’s no need for concern. She has this under control.”

Back to improve on her tied eighth place last year, Lincicome (64) had everything under control as she held a two-stroke lead over veteran Stacy Lewis, PK Kongkraphan and Megan Khang (66 each) in taking the top spot at the end of day one.

In a bogey-free performance, Lincicometied the course record Christine Song set last year in Monday qualifying and set the tournament record, eclipsing the previous mark of 65 held by a half-dozen players, including Lincicome. 

“My putter was, I was making everything, 30‑footers, 10‑footers, five‑footers,” said Lincicome on putting her name on the course record. “It was a pretty easy day. I didn’t really have to make too many par saves, which was nice.  And would have loved to have had a 4 on that last hole to have no 5s on the scorecard.”

It wasn’t until she came in on the 18th hole that Lincicome realized that she was on the verge of something big.

” I don’t normally look at the leaderboards, but I happened to see it on the last hole and was like if I can get it to 10 under, that would be really cool,” she stated. “So I already got ahead of myself.”

Maybe it was swimming with dolphins after playing in the Pro-Am or it was playing blackjack in the casino in the evening as she was so consumed that she missed dinner that made the difference.

Whatever it was, Lincicome is hoping that the streak can continue today.

Bogey free as one of the three players tied for second trailing Lincicome, Kongkraphan said she was quite pleased with her start.

“I’m very happy have a good (indiscernible) for the season and I’m very comfortable to get back to Bahamas again,” said the Thailander, who was tied for 38th last year. “I really like the Bahamas a lot. Nice to be here (again).”

Khang, coming of her LPGA rookie debut here last year when she was tied for 11th, said the course played right into her hands yesterday.

“I think I just feel a lot more confidence coming here.  I know this course a little better. I just have a lot of good memories.,” she said.

“So I think having all that behind me, that definitely gave me a lot of confidence coming in here.  I know I played well here so I think that definitely helped.”

While she will be rooting for her Patriots to win the Super Bowl title, Khang is hoping her start will also help to propel her to the title on Sunday.

“It was kind of an easy round.  I had a great group so I didn’t really have to worry,” she said of her opening round. “Last year last round I didn’t know anyone so I was pretty nervous about who I was playing with.

“But no, I had a great group. Sara and Lizette were awesome.  I think kind of knowing them definitely eased the nerves. I mean first tournament jitters is always a thing.”

For Lewis, it wasn’t the start she wanted, but she will settle for it.

“Bit of a slow start, a little bit of nerves I guess not really trusting what I was doing to start, but really got the putter rolling kind of middle of the round and birdied the par 5s, which is what you have to do on this golf course,” Lewis stressed.

“Still a couple things I can do better, but overall it was a really good day.”

Just like she did in her previous years, Lewis was solid and consistent. She finished in a two-way tie for second last year, indicating that she enjoy playing on Paradise Island.

“Yeah, I like this golf course, you know, you have to really be comfortable with the tee shots and it’s all about making birdies which I usually do a pretty good job of,” she said.

“So taking advantage of the par 5s is a key and I was able to do that today.”

After the first round, the top player on the projected cut is American Cheyenne Woods, the niece of legendary Tiger Woods, who just here in December to play in the Hero World Challenge that was organized by his foundation.

This is Cheyenne Woods’ second appearance in the tournament and she indicated that she’s just excited to be back in the Bahamas.

“I was excited about playing again and I was in a really good group,” Woods said. “I had a few birdies and bogeys and even pars. I left a few out there, but overall first round of the year, I will take a lot out of it.”

The second round of the tournament will begin at 7:05 am and at the end of the day, the top 70 will advance to the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday.