MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, August 20, 2016 - Erynne Lee (Silverdale, Wash.) played 26 holes on Saturday and moved into the lead with a 6-under, 66 in round one and a 1-under, 71 in round two to stand at 7-under, 137. Lee has a one shot clubhouse lead over Augusta James (Bath, Ontario), who fired a 66 in the second-round to stand at 6-under, 138. The second-round was suspended due to darkness at 7:44 p.m. with still 22 groups to finish.

The second-round will resume at 7:30 a.m. Sunday. The final-round will begin approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion of the second-round and no earlier than 12:00 p.m.

Weather was again a major story on day two of the PHC Classic. Play did not begin at the scheduled time of 7:30 due to impending storms. After a two hour delay, the first-round resumed at 9:45 a.m. and play continued until 1:37p.m. when showers returned and play was halted because of standing water on a few greens. Just 25 minutes later, play resumed and continued until sunset.

Lee, 23, started the day by resuming her first round on her 11th hole. Three holes into the day, she made an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole. She made two more birdies to polish off a 6-under, 66. About an hour and twenty minutes after completing her first round, Lee made a birdie on the first hole to open her second round. She made four total birdies and three bogeys.

“It has been a little crazy, because it has been a long day for all of us, we were up at five in the morning to be at the course at six,” said Lee. “It was like 12 hours on the course with the delays in the beginning so it was important to stay patient.”

The two eagles on her first round scorecard boosted her towards the top.

“Yesterday, I had an eagle on the tenth hole, which was my first. I hit a good drive, hit a 6-iron into the green and made a really good putt,” explained Lee. “Then today we got to the fourth and I hit a really good drive and 3-wood combo and then hit a 24-foot putt. Technically, it wasn’t two birdies in a day, but it was still really nice.”

Lee struggled last week at the Decatur-Forsyth Classic and missed the cut. She attempted 35 putts each day and has shown vast improvement in that department this week.

“Compared to last week, the putter has been the big difference,” said Lee, who attempted 29 putts in round one and 28 in round two. “It’s all about being confident that I can roll the ball in the hole.”

Lee started the year with a bang by winning the IOA Championship to open the season. She has recorded two additional top 10 finishes since. Lee has been in and out of the Volvik Race for the Card top 10 for much of the season. She currently ranks 15th with $36,033 earned.

“Like every other girl, I just want to finish in the top 10, but it is about being consistent out there and having a lot of fun,” said Lee, who has actually missed three of the last four cuts. “I just want to avoid being so results oriented and try to stay in the moment.”

Lee said Brown Deer Park reminds her of other tree line courses in Washington where she grew up.

She was an All-American at UCLA and played on the 2014 U.S. Curtis Cup team.

LINDSAY GAHM, WITH MOM ON BAG, MOVES INTO CONTENTION: For the first time, Lindsay Gahm (Louisville, Kentucky) brought her mom on Tour and figured she might as well have her caddy as well. The daughter-mom duo played 25 holes on Saturday and are T5.

Gahm closed her day with a 12-foot sliding right putt for birdie on 18 to post a 70 in round two. She had to finish seven holes in the first round on Saturday and shot a 69.

“We’ve been waiting around a lot this weekend, but I’m happy we got back out there,” said Gahm. “I have my mom with me this week and she keeps it fun and light.”

Gahm knew she was getting a hotel this week in Milwaukee and asked her mom if she wanted to come.

“It’s only a seven hour drive and she decided to come,” said Gahm. “Once I knew she was coming, I was like ‘ you might as well caddy’ and she is doing a great job.”

QUICK NOTES
• Augusta James (Bath, Ontario) carded a 67-71 on Saturday to get one shot off the lead. James currently ranks 13th on the money list.
• Jenny Coleman, who led after a 66 on Friday, is even through seven holes unofficially.

Erynne Lee, No. 15 on money list, Moves into Lead at PHC Classic

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