From Staff Reports
THOMPSONVILLE — Jessica Welch continued to hold her own on the second day of the 31st Michigan PGA Women’s Open Championship on the Mountain Ridge Course at Crystal Mountain on Tuesday.
The Georgia native has led before when heading into the final round, but never by as many as six shots.
“That will be a new experience, but it’s not a bad thing,” said the 30-year-old LPGA Epson Tour player. “I’ll try to stick with my game plan, stay focused and execute the shots.
Welch has finished second in each of the last two years at Crystal Mountain. She will attempt to hold off the field in the $40,000 championship for her first pro win since winning a mini-tour event last December in Florida. The first-place check will be $7,500.
“I hit good shots; the putts just wouldn’t fall today,” Welch said. “It’s tough to follow up a 63, but the putts didn’t go in this time. I’m hoping they will fall tomorrow.”
Welch followed up a 9-under 63 from Monday with a 2-under 70 for an 11-under 133 total on the Mountain Ridge Course. She had her big lead on new Michigan State University transfer Taylor Kehoe of Strathroy, Ontario, who shot 69 for 139.
Kehoe, who is transferring to MSU from the University of Alabama via the NCAA transfer portal, said she was happy with her play this week.
“I’m very pleased to be in the last group tomorrow,” Kehoe said. “It will be a great experience for me.”
Kehoe said she will do her best to chase Welch, but she is also impressed with the pro’s game after playing in the same pairing Tuesday.
“She’s a very good player,” Kehoe said. “She doesn’t make many mistakes.”
Julia Stevenson of Highland, an assistant professional at Birmingham Country Club, shot 70 for 143 and was tied for third with Jiayi Wang, a Northwestern University golfer from China who shot 72.
Traverse City West alum and University of Indianapolis golfer Anci Dy came into the tournament as an amateur and is tied for ninth after shooting an even-par round of 72 for a second day in a row.
Amateur Elayna Bowser of Dearborn finished with a 73, University of Wisconsin golfer Kate Brody of Grand Blanc wrapped up with a 74, and professional Kathleen Sumner of Frederick, Maryland, shot a 71.
The Michigan Section PGA will use a two-tee start tomorrow (holes 1 and 10) starting at 8 a.m. The leaders will tee off at 9:48 a.m. on No. 1.
In the Michigan PGA Senior Women’s Open, being played as a new first-time tournament inside the tournament, Ann Arbor native Suzy Green-Roebuck and the Michigan Golf Hall of Famer opened a three-shot lead with a 69 for 141.
Right behind her was another Hall of Fame member and former LPGA player, Elaine Crosby of Jackson, who shot 73 for 144. Cheryl Fox of Tiffin, Ohio, and the director of golf at Fostoria Country Club, shot 71 for 145.
The senior golfers are playing for a separate bag of $5,000 and the winner on Tuesday will take home $2,000.
Also, for the first time, the Michigan Section PGA held its Michigan Women’s PGA Professional Championship for section professionals in coexistence with the Open.
The other tournament inside the tournament ended Tuesday with Erica Reed, the director of golf at Lincoln Hills Golf Club in Ludington, winning after shooting an 83. Reed walked away with $600 for first.
“I had a fun two days playing with great ladies, and I played decently,” said Reed, a 19-year professional who is 43. “I haven’t played in a tournament in five years, so it’s great to take home a trophy.”
Kelly Kuhlman, a professional at Twin Lakes Golf & Swim Club, finished second, and defending champion Stephanie Jennings, the current Michigan Section PGA president, finished third.