Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Women’s Health Classic
The Links at Stoney Point
Greenwood, South Carolina
May 9, 2015
Third-Round News & Notes

GREENWOOD, S.C., May 9, 2015 - Alejandra Llaneza (Mexico City, Mexico) carded a 3-under 69 on Saturday at the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Women’s Health Classic to put herself in position to be the first Mexican born golfer to win on the Epson Tour since 2007. Llaneza is 9-under 207 and has a two shot lead on Casey Grice (College Station, Texas) and Jimin Kang (Seoul, South Korea), who stand at 7-under 209.

The last Mexican to win on the Epson Tour was Violeta Retamoza, who won the 2007 Alliance Bank Golf Classic in Syracuse, New York. Lorena Ochoa, who paved the way for the five current Epson Tour members from Mexico, won three times on the Epson Tour in 2002 and led the money list.

Llaneza had a great front nine with three birdies including back-to-back on holes seven and eight to get to nine under. Llaneza made birdie on 12 to get to 10-under. She made one birde, two bogeys and a par over her final four holes.

“Overall, today was a very good day,” said the 26-year-old, who has nine career top 10 finishes on the Epson Tour. “I felt very good on the golf course and very calm. I had some momentum on the front nine that I was able to take advantage of and some good momentum coming in with a birdie on 16 after a bogey on 15.”

Through her first 32 holes of the tournament, Llaneza was 2-under-par. Over her last 22 holes, she is 7-under-par.

“The last few holes of a round, I just try and start over to make sure I take one shot at a time and that has helped,” explained Llaneza about finishing strong. “I just try and go with the process on every shot I take.”

Llaneza has never held a 54-hole lead on the Epson Tour or the LPGA Tour. Her only experience heading into the final round with the lead was in a Cactus Tour event.

“This is an exciting position for me and I like where I am at and I like my chances tomorrow.”

Llaneza’s best finish on the Epson Tour is a runner-up result at the 2013 IOA Golf Classic. Her best result on the LPGA Tour is a tie for 12th at the Kingsmill Championship.

“It would be really cool (to win),” said Llaneza. “Anytime you can win something it is great and I think that is why all of us play golf. It is a very exciting opportunity, but tomorrow on the golf course I need to make sure it is just another golf round.”

The win would also mean a lot for golf in Mexico.

“Since Lorena, there hasn’t been a win on the LPGA Tour so it is really exciting to have more girls from Mexico here,” said Llaneza. “IGPM is a great non-profit organization that helps us professional golfers (from Mexico) develop and move into the next step. We all feel like we have a team around us even though we are playing an individual sport.”

“It was just two ladies that realized how much help was needed when pursuing a professional career so it is great to have their support and help with entry fees and some hotels.”

Grice is also excited for the opportunity to go for her first win in just her second year as a professional.

“It (winning) is definitely going to be in the back of my mind because it is the ultimate goal,” said Grice. “You can’t win on hole one or two or even 17. You can only win the event after 18 so you have to take it one shot and one hole at a time.”

Grice plans on kicking back and taking in the fireworks show on Lake Greenwood on Saturday night.

“I can’t think of a better way to go into the final round then watching some awesome fireworks over the water,” said Grice. “My host family is having a party, so I’m just going to relax, have fun and get to know more of this community.”

ANI GULUGIAN LEANS ON VOLVIK RACE FOR CARD NO. 1: Ani Gulugian (Irvine, Calif.) is a typical rookie that has found adjusting to the professional ranks tough from time-to-time. Fortunately for Gulugian, she has two “big sisters” to lean on in current Volvik Race for the Card money list leader Lee Lopez and current LPGA player Lizette Salas.

On Saturday, Gulugian carded an even-par 72 and stands in a tie for fourth at 4-under 212.

“I wish that I could have holed a few more birdies today, but it was cool to be bogey free up until 13 for three rounds,” said Gulugian, who went the first 48 holes of the tournament without making a bogey. “Overall, it was a solid day.”

Gulugian is in the hunt for the first time as a professional. Her best finish through five events is a tie for 53rd.

“I’ve been working really hard so it is gratifying to see it paying off,” said Gulugian. “I need to stay patient tomorrow and focus on hitting my targets.”

Gulugian and Lopez have been playing golf together since she was ten and Lopez was 12. Their dads are best friends. Lopez has been a big help in showing Gulugian the ropes.

“My first year as a professional has been interesting, I’ve definitely had to make some adjustments,” said the 23-year-old. “I think I am starting to get the hang of it and I have some friends out here so that is nice.”

Alejandra Llaneza Grabs 54-Hole Lead and Could be First from Mexico to Win Since '07

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