The University of Mississippi Athletics
Grantham Shoots Even Par At U.S. Public Links
6/23/2009 | Women's Golf
DEVENS,
On a wet and drizzly day with temperatures in the low 60s and winds gusting to 25 mph, the players faced weather even more extreme than Monday’s final-round U.S. Open conditions at
Grantham, who started on the 10th tee, managed to shoot even par on her first nine despite missing eight of nine greens. She made a bogey on the par-4 12th but finished off her front nine by chipping in for birdie on 18 to get back to even. On the front side (her back nine), Grantham bogeyed the par-4 seventh, but came right back with a birdie on No. 8.
“It was tough out there today with a constant drizzle and 25 mph winds, very tough conditions,” Grantham said. “Going back to what I’ve been trying to do all summer, I just tried to get as many pars and keep playing. You just have to try and minimize your bad holes. You have to have your misses in the right spot, and capitalize on the birdie opportunities. I only hit one green out of eight on the back nine (started on No. 10), but managed to scramble to shoot even par. Then I got things figured out and settled down and played solid. I really stayed patient.
“I am going to keep trying to stay relaxed and make a lot of smooth swings. I felt very relaxed from the moment I teed off. I knew a lot of people would be down about the rain and winds, but I stayed positive and dealt with what I was handed.”
Conditions aren’t expected to improve much on Tuesday, as Grantham tees off at 7:50 a.m. CT. The low 64 scorers will advance to match play, which begins Wednesday.
