The Manila Times

3 players share lead at Cambia Portland Classic

WEST LINN, Oregon: Carlota Ciganda overcame an early double bogey in chilly morning conditions Thursday for a 4-under 68 and a share of the first-round lead in the Cambia Portland Classic.

The only member of the winning European Solheim Cup team in the field, the Spaniard teed off with the temperature in the low 50s at hilly, windy and tricky Oregon Golf Club.

“This morning, some shots the ball was flying 10 to 12 meters less, at least for me on the range,” Ciganda said. “I was like, `I need to adjust this on the golf course because it is so cold’.”

Gemma Dryburgh of Scotland also shot a 68 in the morning and Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand grabbed a share of the lead in the afternoon. Anannarukarn won last month in Northern Ireland for her first LPGA Tour title.

“Just kind of telling myself to finish the 18, honestly,”

Anannarukarn said. “Try to stay hydrated and just keep filled up. Try to stay patient out there. It’s a really hilly course and I just try to keep myself in the fairway, hit some good shots and try to get a good speed on the green.”

Second-ranked Jin Young Ko was a stroke back along with Perrine Delacour, 2009 winner Mi Jung Hur, Su Oh, Jenny Shin and Paula Reto.

Ciganda birdied two of her first four holes, then gave the strokes back with the double bogey on the par-4 14th. The two-time LPGA Tour winner rebounded to birdie two of the next three, dropped a stroke on the par-4 second and added three more birdies.

Ciganda took it easy last week after going 1-2 at Inverness in the Solheim Cup.

Yealimi Noh was the only one of the five US Solheim Cup players to break par, shooting a 71. Jennifer Kupcho shot 73, Mina Harigae 75, 2014 winner Austin Ernst 76 and Brittany Altomare 78.

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2021-09-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://digitaledition.manilatimes.net/article/282071985035507

The Manila Times