Wright lurks as Yang shoots to early lead
Source: Agencies |
March 31, 2012, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AMY Yang shot a 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead over a revitalized Lindsey Wright in Thursday's opening round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship in Rancho Mirage, California.
Tseng Yani was third at 68, ending the world's top-ranked player's streak of eight consecutive rounds with the lead. The five-time major champion has won two straight tournaments and three of five this season, while Yang and Wright have never won on the LPGA Tour.
The 22-year-old Yang made five birdies in seven holes around the turn at Mission Hills, using a steady putting stroke to take the early lead in the first major of the year. Wright had five birdies on her back nine.
Michelle Wie opened with a 73, and defending champion Stacy Lewis had four consecutive bogeys in a 74. Wright, who fought her way back from depression and anxiety to rejoin the LPGA Tour, says she's grateful for every good day on the links and every peaceful night away from golf.
With five birdies on the back nine of the Dinah Shore Tournament Course, Wright took another positive step. After quitting golf for the final four months of last year, the 32-year-old Australian returned with a victory in the New Zealand Women's Open last month, followed by this strong start at Mission Hills.
"I'm really enjoying my golf," Wright said. "It's not a grind anymore. I'm actually enjoying it, the good and the bad."
Wright has earned more than US$2.2 million despite never winning an LPGA Tour event. She was outstanding in 2009, earning top-four finishes in two majors, but success didn't provide the happiness she expected.
Wright said she felt "smothered" by the nonstop travel and pressure of a pro golfer's life.
She sometimes needed two bottles of red wine to cure her chronic insomnia, and her homesickness for Australia was accentuated by her depression, which she didn't identify until she recognized her symptoms on a television program about the disease.
Tseng Yani was third at 68, ending the world's top-ranked player's streak of eight consecutive rounds with the lead. The five-time major champion has won two straight tournaments and three of five this season, while Yang and Wright have never won on the LPGA Tour.
The 22-year-old Yang made five birdies in seven holes around the turn at Mission Hills, using a steady putting stroke to take the early lead in the first major of the year. Wright had five birdies on her back nine.
Michelle Wie opened with a 73, and defending champion Stacy Lewis had four consecutive bogeys in a 74. Wright, who fought her way back from depression and anxiety to rejoin the LPGA Tour, says she's grateful for every good day on the links and every peaceful night away from golf.
With five birdies on the back nine of the Dinah Shore Tournament Course, Wright took another positive step. After quitting golf for the final four months of last year, the 32-year-old Australian returned with a victory in the New Zealand Women's Open last month, followed by this strong start at Mission Hills.
"I'm really enjoying my golf," Wright said. "It's not a grind anymore. I'm actually enjoying it, the good and the bad."
Wright has earned more than US$2.2 million despite never winning an LPGA Tour event. She was outstanding in 2009, earning top-four finishes in two majors, but success didn't provide the happiness she expected.
Wright said she felt "smothered" by the nonstop travel and pressure of a pro golfer's life.
She sometimes needed two bottles of red wine to cure her chronic insomnia, and her homesickness for Australia was accentuated by her depression, which she didn't identify until she recognized her symptoms on a television program about the disease.
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