FORT MYERS, Fla. – The second round brought a very dynamic leaderboard throughout the entirety of the 18 holes for the Open Division. Yet, Lauren Clark still retains her lead by one stroke over the field and Christa Johnson extended her lead heading into the final round tomorrow.
Open Division
Lauren Clark emerged as the leader heading into the final round, but not without a fight. There are three players within a stroke of her lead and then another four players within two strokes. Clark fired an even par round with three birdies over the 18 holes. “I got off to a rough start today and had to fight to get back to par. Overall, I really just tried to stay patient and hit greens, make putts, and put myself in position to make putts.”
Moreover, Alexandra White fired one of the low rounds coming in with a three-under-par to bring her tournament total to one-under-par. When asked about her round she said, “I have been hitting the ball really well with my irons, so it’s been fun.” She played the Bobcat Course for her second round but is preparing for her final round on the Bear Course. White explains what she likes most about the Bear Course, “It presents a challenge. You have to really strategize your way around it, it’s not clean cut, but that’s what makes it fun. It’s like a little puzzle.”
Alexandra Gazzoli also moved up the leaderboard to head into the final round tied-for-second place. “Overall it was very solid, and I didn’t have many mistakes. I am just trying to keep putting myself in position to have a potential at good holes.” Also tied-for-second place is the defending champion, Jordan Fischer. Fischer explains that her win last year has helped her mentally to stay calm and patient in hopes of claiming yet another victory.
Senior Division
Consistency was key for Christa Johnson as she fired another four-under-par, 68 to extend her lead to three shots over the field. Johnson carded five birdies over the 18 holes. “I think my mental game was better today even though I didn’t hit my irons quite as well today. But the Bear course is a little more difficult to get close to the hole than Bobcat, so I stayed patient and played one shot at a time and I was really happy about that.”
Leta Lindley sits in second place at five-under-par and Tara Joy-Connelly and Jackie Gallagher-Smith share third place at even par.
