Mobile Bay LPGA Classic: World number three Pettersen falters on the opening day
The current world number three Suzann Pettersen, who had vowed to put up a tough fight at the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic, exhibited a woeful game in the first round, as she carded a 73 to stand tied for the 68th.
Pettersen kicked off the opening round in an impressive style, as she made three birdies. However, on the back nine, she appeared to be in the worst form, as she recorded three bogeys, one double bogey and just one birdie.
The tournament being played at Magnolia Grove’s Crossings Course is featuring plenty of competent players.
However, Pettersen is one of the LPGA giants who finished outside the top-10 — something analysts said will boost rookies’ confidence.
According to the first-round stats, four players are sharing the lead. Most important of all, the players standing atop the leaderboard mostly rank below the top-20.
Pettersen, who racked up 8 titles on the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Tour, was not expected to display such a grim performance, as she has been able to improve her game lately.
The Norwegian star kicked off the round by parring the first three holes. She amazed the spectators when she drained her first birdie on the par-5 4th hole.
She scored equal-par on the next hole and went for another explosive move, birdying the 6th. Scoring three birdies on the front nine helped her gain the much-needed confidence.
However, on the back nine, she looked completely shattered, as she shot two back-to-back bogeys on the par-4 11th and par-4 12 th.
Analysts said that Pettersen’s fans and the spectators on the course were shocked to see the current world number three mess up her position.
She tried to improve her standing on the 13th, as she recorded her fourth birdie in a vain attempt to move ahead.
However, scoring a double bogey on the 15th proved a disaster for Pettersen’s leaderboard position. She disappointed her fans yet again when she made her third bogey on the tricky par-3 17th.
The 31-year-old star has been winless since the start of the current season. She performed a much better game in the 2011 season, as she grabbed two titles at Sybase Match Play Championship and Safeway Classic.
It remains to be seen how Pettersen will fare against rivals in the next three rounds.
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