Canada’s Tsui leads IWO, chased by Argentina’s Cammisa

Writing from Romeoville, Illinois

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Good players come from all over to tee it up in the Illinois Women’s Open, and the top of the leader board proves it, with three continents and four countries represented.

Vivian Tsui, who followed yesterday’s 67 with an even-par 72 and leads at 5-under 139 entering the final round, is from Markham, Ontario, by way of North Carolina State.

Lili Cammisa, whose 3-under 69 put her in a three-way tie for second, is from Argentina, and played her college golf in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Amateur Tess Hackworthy, tied with Cammisa at 4-under 140 after consecutive 70s, hails from Madison, Wis. and goes to Wisconsin.

Hannah Kim, entering her senior year at Northwestern and at 140 after a bounce-back 5-under 67, the day’s best round, is from Chula Vista, Calif., where she’ll play the U.S. Women’s Amateur later this year.

Samantha Postillion and amateur Alexandra Farnsworth, at 3-under 141, are from Scottsdale, Ariz., and Nashville, Tenn., respectively, though Postillion was born in Illinois and lived here until a few years ago. Farnsworth jumped to a 74 after an opening 67.

The low Illinois residents are amateurs Chicago’s Lindsay Dodovich and Addison’s Dana Gattone, who are joined by Katja Pogacar of Ljubljana, Slovenia, and Ohio State, in seventh place at 1-under 143.

Kim’s round rocketed her up the standings. She was tied for 13th after her opening 73, which was her first competitive round since the Women’s Western Amateur. Practice and a summer class have taken up her time.

“Yesterday a lot of my putts weren’t dropping,” Kim said. “I hit all 18 greens in regulation and made one birdie. Today I hit it a lot closer.”

She made seven birdies as a result, including five birdies on the last seven holes, the longest a 24-footer on the par-4 12th hole that got her going.

“It was a bonus birdie for sure,” Kim said. “After that, they were all from three to four feet.”

Cammisa, who turned pro last year, is a two-time winner of the Argentina Women’s Amateur and a four-time winner at Nova Southeastern University in Daytona Beach, Fla. following five wins in three countries as a junior. Her best finish as a pro is a tie for seventh at the Brisbane Invitational over the northern hemisphere winter.

For that, she picked up $838.50. First prize at Mistwood is $5,000.

Samantha Postillion’s mother Kerry won the Illinois Women’s Open three times.

“I get more nervous watching than I did playing,” Kerry Postillion said Tuesday.

“It would be great to win one like my mom,” Samantha said after adding a 71 to an opening 70. “But, one shot at a time. I definitely hit it well enough today to go a lot lower. Putting, I was just kind of dying it at the hole. Tomorrow, I’ll be a lot more aggressive.”

The cut was at 6-over 150 and included 30 players. Defending champion Stephanie Miller (76-74) made it on the number. Ember Schuldt eagled the par-5 third hole for the second day running, but still missed the cut by two strokes.

– Tim Cronin