One of two players in a tie for third is Gabby Lemieux (Caldwell, Idaho), who signed for a 7-under par 65 in the first round of the Epson Tour Championship. The fourth-year Epson Tour pro recorded nine birdies Thursday on the Jones Course at LPGA International to match her season-low score for 18 holes.
“It feels good,” said Lemieux. “[My husband and caddie] Jared and I talked before this tournament and told ourselves to leave it all out there. We just want to try and get in the [Race for the Card] top 35, so we have to leave it all out there to give it a shot.”
She set her season-best score of 7-under in the final round of the inaugural Circling Raven Championship presented by KXLY 4 News Now, where Lemieux ultimately finished -14 overall and in a tie for third in her native state. That sparked her game and has kept the fire burning down the final stretch of the year.
Having entered the week at No. 48 in the Race for the Card, Lemieux needs a top-5 finish to climb the money list into the top 35, which would exempt her to LPGA Q-Series.
“With that being my best finish [at the Circling Raven Championship] and the most I’ve shot under par, it gave me a chance to look at myself and say, ‘I can do it,’” Lemieux said. “I can shoot however many under par to win a golf tournament and it was a boost of confidence. Hopefully I continue to capitalize on all of that.”
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