TAN SEARCHING FOR SECOND WIN
An 18-hole tournament scoring record for the Guardian Championship of 10-under par 62 from Kelly Tan (Batu Pahat, Malaysia) in the second round gave her the outright 36-hole lead at 10-under overall on the Senator Course at Capitol Hill.
Tan takes a three-shot advantage into the final round where she’ll head off No. 1 tee at 9:09 a.m. CT in the final grouping. The two-time winner on the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour became a first-time Epson Tour champion earlier this season at the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic in March.
“Shooting 10-under, there’s nothing really to complain about and I’ve been playing good golf recently,” said Tan. “Only difference is my putts fell today and that’s the reason for this. At the beginning of this season, one of my goals was to play consistent golf and think I have which helps. Spending four years on the LPGA Tour and then the past few part-time has taught me to stay patient and in the game.”
STOLL PUTTING ROOKIE LESSONS TO USE
Making the 19th start of her rookie season on the Epson Tour, Gigi Stoll (Beaverton, Oregon) is poised for a third top-10 finish. The University of Arizona alumna sits at 7-under par overall following a 6-under 66 on day two, which tied a season-best score to par.
“I’ve learned to just stay patient,” said Stoll. “I know I’m playing good and had a lot of birdies yesterday as well. Will keep playing my game and find some more birdies out there. Off the tee, put myself in good positions all day missing one fairway and was sticking quite a few shots for a lot of birdie opportunities.”
FERNANDEZ CANO PLAYING FOR MORE THAN HERSELF
Rounding out the final grouping is Fatima Fernandez Cano (Santiago de Compostela, Spain), another of the six individuals at 7-under par overall. The graduate of Troy University carded a 5-under par 67 this afternoon to climb the leaderboard and position herself for a Sunday run.
“I’ve been here before and know how to deal with pressure now,” Fernandez Cano said. “My game feels fantastic, had a bunch of birdies out there today. One double [bogey] kept me a little behind, but was able to come back. Just need to go out and stay aggressive since that’s what I do when I play my best.”
Earlier this week marked the one-year anniversary that Fernandez Cano’s lifelong friend Celia Barquín Arozamena was killed at Coldwater Golf Links in Ames, Iowa by a senseless act of violence. There is no doubt that tomorrow, Fernandez Cano will have an angel on her side.
“I’m sure she is up there pulling for me and helping every time she has a chance,” Fernandez Cano said. “Going to try and get it done like always, but also for her. We met when we were around eight years old and played together since the junior golf days, so knew each other for a long time.”
NOTABLE QUOTES
Robynn Ree (-7, T2) on the mentality she is competing with:
“I’m not trying to think about securing my card, just get through the week as best I can. My mindset is if it is meant to be then I’ll continue to finish strong and if not then it is just another learning experience. It would be nice to win again, always nice to win. Can’t put any pressure or expectations on myself as that is usually when I play my best. Need to go play my game and just have fun for the results to come."
Dewi Weber (-7, T2) on a 2-under par 70 effort in the second round:
“Before the week started, I thought the winning score would be minus-12 and I kind of still think that. I guess I need to go minus-5 tomorrow and honestly that is what it should have been today. I lost my cool a couple times and made some stupid mistakes, few too many bogeys. That was disappointing, but after two straight three-putts I came back with birdies a couple holes later so can still have a good feeling.”
Patricia Sanz Barrio (-7, T2) on preparation last week to get ready for the Guardian Championship:
“It feels really good and I’ve been working hard even though my scores haven’t been nice the past few months. Went to Auburn last week and the practice facilities are so great, had such good practice that I am feeling really strong with my irons. I had three tap-in birdies, which gives me a lot of confidence and was a little better driving the ball. More excitement for tomorrow since there is nothing to lose. Will go out there, stay patient and hopefully my game stays the same.”
PLAYER NOTES
Kelly Tan
- Tan, 25, is a native of Batu Pahat, Malaysia
- Three-time winner of the Malaysian Ladies Open as an amateur
- Two-time champion on the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour
- Finished T13 at the Final Stage of the 2013 LPGA Qualifying Tournament to earn Priority List Category 12 membership for the 2014 LPGA Tour season, turned professional immediately after completing the event
- Represented her native country at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games and finished solo 51st
- First year on the Epson Tour was 2018 and she played in 16 events with a season-best T22 showing at the IOA Invitational
- Total of 68 career starts on the LPGA Tour since her rookie year 2014 with a career-best result of T4 at the 2014 Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning & O-I
- First-time Epson Tour champion at the 2019 Florida’s Natural Charity Classic, also her first win in any LPGA Tour family event
- 13-under par total (203) set Florida’s Natural Charity Classic 54-hole tournament scoring record and won on first hole of sudden-death playoff against Demi Runas
)
)
)
)
