In the first round of the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship, Gabby Lemieux (Caldwell, Idaho) carded eight birdies and two bogeys for a 6-under 66 to be tied for the 18-hole lead at Battle Creek Country Club. Lemieux’s momentum on the course continued up to her last hole where she chipped in from right behind the green on No. 18.
“I had a pretty good drive. I was slightly into the wind so we were thinking we could aim down a little bit more down the left side. But the wind never really touched my golf ball, so I was still sitting in the middle of the fairway. It was 158 yards in and we ended up picking 7-(iron),” said Lemieux. “I flew the pin by three or four yards which is long for my 7-iron. My friend Sophia, who went to tech Texas Tech with me, taught me this chip shot and it's funny that she was standing right there by the green when I did it. I mean everything just felt right with it and it ended up just trickling right into the hole.”
Last year, Lemieux shared her Drive On story coming from the Shoshone-Paiute Tribe of the Duck Valley Reservation. Over the past few years competing in Battle Creek, she has developed a friendship with Chief Executive Officer of FireKeepers Casino Hotel, Kathy George, who watched part of her round today.
“We have just grown such a close bond over the last few years. I think especially with me being Native American I think she's really rooting for me to do well out here,” said Lemieux. “Funny story, the first hole she came out to watch l ended up bogeying but then she left, and I was like ‘Oh no she probably thinks she jinx me or something’ but it’s super good to have around here watching.”
FIRST ROUND INCOMPLETE DUE TO WEATHER SUSPENSION
During the first round, play was suspended at 3:45 pm ET due to weather. Play resumed at 5:50 pm ET, but due to additional incoming weather the first round was not completed. Players who were unable to complete 18-holes on Friday will tee off Saturday at 8:30 am ET. The second round of the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship will follow the completion of the first round, no earlier than 9:15 am ET.
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