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Friday
Jul232010

Three-way tie after first round of Illinois Women's Open

Special to Golf In Chicago by Joanne Miller
Writing from Romeoville, Illinois
Thursday, July 21, 2010

LPGA Tour players Michelle Ellis of Chicago Heights, Allison Fouch of Indianapolis, and University of Illinois golfer Sammi Sloan of Lansing posted rounds of 2-under par 70, and share the lead after the first round of the 16th Phil Kosin Illinois Women’s Open at Mistwood Golf Club.

They pace a field of 100 competitors, the second largest field in tournament history, and one that, in accordance with IWO tradition, included a delay for violent weather.

The horns blew at 11:50 a.m. for a 45-minute delay due to lightning in the area. Once play resumed, several players took advantage of the rain softened greens and posted some birdies. In her inaugural appearance in the IWO, Ellis, an Australian native and current president of the LPGA Tour’s Player Directors, carded five birdies for her round of 37-33-70.

“I’m pretty happy," Ellis said. "I made a bit of a run with birdies on 11, 12, 13 and had just missed a birdie on 10 all within ten feet."

Fouch came out for the IWO for the first time, fresh off her appearance at the U.S. Women’s Open. Her solid round of 2-under 70 included five birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey. Fouch had it going with her putter including a 25-foot birdie putt on No. 16. In the second round, she planned to play the course a little differently.

“There is some strategy on this golf course,” said Fouch.

Sloan, a junior this fall at Illinois, was paired with the two veteran LPGA Tour players for Friday's second round. Carding four birdies and two bogeys, Sloan made some great putts.

“On 15 I sank a 30-footer and then on the 12th, I was about 20-feet out for birdie," Sloan said. "The course is playing longer and tougher [than in past years], greens are rolling tough but true.”

Sloan said her plan for tomorrow’s round is to “take it one shot at a time and do the same thing I did today.”

Close behind the leaders at even par is another LPGA Tour player and two-time IWO champion, Nicole Jeray, Berwyn, who managed nines of even-par 36 for 72.

“I putted well on the back nine, but they didn’t go in," Jeray said. "My ball striking is great, and my drives are perfect.”

The competitors should keep an eye on her as both times she competed in the IWO, she won. Also of note, amateurs Nikki Miller of Waukegan and Kris Yoo of Schaumburg are tied for third with Jeray. Wheaton's Jenna Pearson, the 2006 champion Jenna Pearson, scored 40-41-81, while three-time champion Kerry Postillion posted 40-42-82.

Leaders after first round at Mistwood Golf Club, 36-36-72, 5,800 yards
Michelle Ellis, Chicago Heights, 37-33-70
a-Samantha Sloan, Lansing, 35-35-70
Allison Fouch, Indianapolis, 34-36-70
a-Nikki Miller, Waukegan, 36-36-72
Nicole Jeray, Berwyn, 36-36-72
a-Kris Yoo, Schaumburg, 34-38-72
a-Christine Meier, Rochester Hills, Mich., 37-36-73
a-Kristi Cardwell, Kokomo, Ind., 36-37-73
a-Alex Lederhausen, Hinsdale, 35-38-73
a-Rebecca Lederhausen, Hinsdale, 38-36-74
a-Kristin Paulson, Ames, Iowa, 37-37-74
Jessica Schneider, Elgin, 38-36-74
a-Hailey Koschmann, Lake Forest, 36-38-74
a-Amy Meier, Rochester Hills, Mich, 37-38-75
a-Kim Hunley, Aurora, 36-39-75
a-Nora Lucas, Glenview, 35-40-75

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