An Epson Tour winner in 2021, Sophie Hausmann went 4-under par through seven holes on Thursday at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz. Then the 24-year-old from Nottuln, Germany used a birdie-birdie-eagle stretch from Nos. 13-15 to shoot -7 for a two-stroke lead after 18 holes in the second annual Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic.
“I hit the ball well and hit it close. The putts early on were fairly short, which was nice and helped getting some confidence,” said Hausmann, who won the 2021 IOA Championship in Beaumont, Calif. “I really like Arizona, especially the Phoenix area and the golf courses. When I got here, the greens were rolling well, and I think I did a pretty good job out there staying in the moment. It’s good to see things are working.”
The three-hole stretch on the back nine separated Hausmann from the field.
“Hole Nos. 9 and 10 I didn’t play the way I wanted to, so I was like ‘You’re still in position to play the game and play your round to give yourself opportunities.’ That’s what I really tried to do out there and actually what happened. It worked out well on those three holes,” Hausmann said. “Hit the drive well, hit it close and then even on the par-5 15th, hit a solid shot and got the roll it needed.”
Three players share second including Natalie Srinivasan, Emma Broze and Alana Uriell, who made Epson Tour history in the first round. Based on available records dating back to 1989, Uriell’s opening round marked the first time in Epson Tour history that a player recorded three eagles in one round.
“No. 18 was probably the most exciting because I was a little past pin high and chipped out of the rough and it went in. Very lucky for St. Patrick’s Day,” said Uriell, who found eagle at Nos. 9, 15 and 18. “For me, it starts off the tee. I love to hit my driver far, and seeing it roll so far with the hard fairways is really satisfying to me. It gets my momentum going, puts me in a good head space. Just take it all the way in.”
LPGA Tour member Maria Fassi is one of eight players tied for fifth after a 4-under 68. Defending champ Ruixin Liu leads a group of 13 individuals in a tie for 13th at -3.
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