NO. 1 DQ’D FOR FAILING TO SIGN SCORECARD

Nanna Koerstz Madsen (Copenhagen, Denmark) came into the week looking for a third win to earn a Battlefield Promotion to the LPGA. The promotion will have to wait as she made the mistake of not signing her scorecard after her round on Friday, which results in an automatic disqualification.

“Of course I’m disappointed in myself,” said Koerstz Madsen. “I got to play the course for the first time today and I felt like I could shoot some low scores over the weekend, so it’s definitely a missed opportunity. It’s a stupid mistake, but hopefully it’s the last time I ever do this.”

Koerstz Madsen turned in a 4-over, 76 before the DQ.

CHICAGO NATIVE SZOKOL IN HUNT

Elizabeth Szokol (Winnetka, Illinois) is starting to feel more and more comfortable in her rookie season on Tour. The proximity to home helps this week as she posted a 4-under, 68, which is tied for her lowest round of the season.

“I hit some good wedge shots to start, I birdied 11, which was my second hole,” said Szokol, who birdied four of her first seven holes. “I didn’t hit it as well on the back, but had some good up-and-downs to keep me under-par so I’m happy about that.”

Szokol heads into the weekend in the top five.

She attended New Trier High School and was the 2012 Illinois Women’s Amateur Champion. She helped New Trier win the state title in 2010. Szokol went onto play college golf at the University of Virginia before turning pro this year.

“It’s so nice to be near home,” said Szokol. “I’ll be able to go home on Sunday night and see my family and hang out on Monday. I’m even trying to convince my little brother to come up and caddy for me this weekend.”

Szokol was pushing her own cart on Friday in the first round.

Szokol has one top 10 finish this year (T8 at the Sara Bay Classic) and feels like she is starting to find a comfort zone.

“It was tough during the first few events being thrown into a completely new situation,” said Szokol of the rookie difficulties. “I’m meeting more people and having more fun out here so that is helping.”

ERICA POPSON LOOKING FOR ANOTHER TOP 10 IN SOUTH BEND

Erica Popson (Davenport, Florida) has nine career top 10 finishes on the Epson Tour including a T4 at the 2016 Four Winds Invitational. She opened this year’s tournament with a 4-under, 68 and is in a tie for second.

“I did a lot of good things today,” said Popson, who has two top 10 finishes this season. “I hit a lot of good drives and iron shots. I gave myself a lot of looks and made some really good putts.”

Popson took 28 putts on Friday.

“I like this golf course and more importantly I have a really good friend (Bob Cremin) caddying for me this week and he was on the bag for the two events in Florida where I played really well,” said Popson. “I was just really comfotable out there with Bob and I was having a lot of fun.”

Bob is originally from Chicago.

OF NOTE

Only 21 players finished under-par on day one.
No. 4 on the Volvik Race for the Card money list Benyapa Niphatsophon is one of four players at 3-under in a tie for fourth.
Chesterton native Kelly Grassel opened with a 3-over, 75 and is in a tie for 81st.
Former Notre Dame golfer Lindsey Weaver (2013) is 1-over after day one and in a tie for 44th.
Seven countries are represented in the top 10 after day one.

Chicago Native in Hunt, Popson Looking For Another Top 10 and More from South Bend

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