MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, August 4, 2017 - Prior to the PHC Classic, Marion Ricordeau (Laon, France), who played on the LPGA last year and has been a pro for seven years, decided that this would be her last Tour event of the year. She wasn’t playing as well as she would like and financial stress was building. Playing free, Ricordeau fired her best round of the year, a 6-under, 66, on Friday to take the 18-hole lead at Brown Deer Park.

Rachel Rohanna (Waynesburg, Pa.) made birdie on the 18th hole to post a 5-under, 67 and is in solo second while Becca Huffer (Denver, Colorado) turned in a 4-under, 68 when conditions were at their toughest to stand in third.

Brisk temperatures remained for most of the day and winds were howling for much of the morning and early afternoon. Wind speeds peaked at 28 miles-an-hour and sustained at 13 miles-an-hour.

Ricordeau made seven birdies for the first time this year and heads into the weekend with a chance at the first-place check of $15,000 and a chance to qualify for The Evian Championship, the fifth major on the LPGA Tour, which is held in her home country. The low two finishers at the PHC Classic will earn spots into the major.

“It would be great, it would be the first time I would play The Evian Championship and it would be my only major this year,” said Ricordeau, who has only played Evian Resort only as a tourist. “It would be amazing to qualify. My parents are actually playing in the pro-am for The Evian Championship. If I could play the tournament with them there, that would be a good achievement.”

Ricordeau currently ranks 38th on the Volvik Race for the Card money list with just over $15,000 earned in 15 starts. A win would move her into the top 20 and close to the top 15, which might make her rethink the decision to skip the final six events of the year after the PHC Classic. Ricordeau is not leaving professional golf, she decided to skip the final six to prepare for Final Stage of LPGA Qualifying Tournament.

“This has been one of my toughest seasons since turning professional seven years ago,” said Ricordeau. “It has been difficult because I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself to get my LPGA card.”

Ricordeau played full-time on the LPGA in 2016 and loved every second of the experience. Unfortunately, she lost her LPGA card and so desperately wants a return. The financial stress combined with being home sick were the major factors for her deicison.

“I’ve been away from home since the first of March and I live in a suitcase,” said Ricordeau, who travels the Epson Tour with her boyfriend, who doubles as her caddy. “I haven’t seen my parents and the rest of my family and I just think I’ve been on the road too long.”

On Friday, Ricordeau felt a sense of peace on the golf course and felt internal happiness.

“I didn’t complain about anything on the course today, when I missed a shot, I was like ‘oh well’ and I tried to do better on the next hole,” explained Ricordeau, who was a delight to interview. “I just want to look on the bright side and see the good in everything. It makes me want to continue to play.”

Ricordeau played on the Ladies European Tour for five years before coming to the United States to play on the LPGA. She finished 22nd on the LET Order of Merit in 2014.

Her best finish on the Epson Tour this year is a tie for fifth at the Island Resort Championship.

Marion Ricordeau Posts Best Round of Year to Lead PHC Classic

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