Emily Tubert (Burbank, Calif.) made three birdies and an eagle over her first seven holes and posted a 5-under, 67 to share the first round lead at the IOA Championship at Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon with Sophia Popov (Heidelberg, Germany) and Samantha Richdale (Kelowna, Canada).
Gemma Dryburgh (Aberdeen, Scotland), Lauren Kim (Los Altos, Calif.) and Cindy LaCrosse (Tampa, Fla.) one back at 4-under, 68. There are six players two shots back including the 2016 ANNIKA Award winner from UCLA Bronte Law (Manchester, England).
“It was a great round and I feel like I did some really good work in the offseason,” said Tubert, who made the turn in 31. “It is nice to have the opportunity to compete on the Epson Tour.”
Tubert’s round received a jolt on her fourth hole of the day when she eagled the par-4 13th. She nearly drove the green and was 16 paces from the pin. With a 50-degree wedge in hand, she chipped the ball onto the first cut and then let the ball trickle all the way into the cup.
Tubert, who has four career top 10 finishes in two seasons on Tour, has conditional LPGA Tour status this year. She plans to try and play as many LPGA events as possible.
“It is really hard to plan my year right now because it is so early,” said Tubert. “I feel like my game is ready for the next level so I am going to play as many Monday Qualifiers as I have to and I’ll supplement with the Epson Tour.”
The IOA Championship has extra significance for the Southern California native.
“I’ve played a lot of junior tournaments out here and I am very familiar with this golf course,” explained Tubert. “It’s nice that my family can come watch and I actual stayed at home last night.”
Gemma Dryburgh (Aberdeen, Scotland), Lauren Kim (Los Altos, Calif.) and Cindy LaCrosse (Tampa, Fla.) one back at 4-under, 68. There are six players two shots back including the 2016 ANNIKA Award winner from UCLA Bronte Law (Manchester, England).
“It was a great round and I feel like I did some really good work in the offseason,” said Tubert, who made the turn in 31. “It is nice to have the opportunity to compete on the Epson Tour.”
Tubert’s round received a jolt on her fourth hole of the day when she eagled the par-4 13th. She nearly drove the green and was 16 paces from the pin. With a 50-degree wedge in hand, she chipped the ball onto the first cut and then let the ball trickle all the way into the cup.
Tubert, who has four career top 10 finishes in two seasons on Tour, has conditional LPGA Tour status this year. She plans to try and play as many LPGA events as possible.
“It is really hard to plan my year right now because it is so early,” said Tubert. “I feel like my game is ready for the next level so I am going to play as many Monday Qualifiers as I have to and I’ll supplement with the Epson Tour.”
The IOA Championship has extra significance for the Southern California native.
“I’ve played a lot of junior tournaments out here and I am very familiar with this golf course,” explained Tubert. “It’s nice that my family can come watch and I actual stayed at home last night.”
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