July 31 - August 02
Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio
$1,000,000
Round 1, Round 3
As rain plagued the latter half of her second round at the LPGA Drive On Championship, Jodi Ewart Shadoff felt a bit lucky to shoot 72, putting her in tie for first by day's end. Ewart Shadoff had 10 straight pars through the morning until a bogey on No. 11, following it up with two birdies on Nos. 12 and 14. After double bogey on No. 15, the 32-year-old finished strong with a birdie on the final hole to finish at -5 overall.
โYou know, having wind or rain is fine. I like to play in difficult weather,โ said Ewart Shadoff. โBut having both can be a little bit of a challenge, so I'm glad that yesterday we had the wind and today we had the rain.โ
Ewart Shadoff has a buddy on the bag to get her through the rest of the weekend's challenges โ fellow Englishwoman Holly Clyburn. Clyburn, a Symetra Tour Member, signed on as a temporary caddie during the Symetra Tour's two-week break. Ewart Shadoff's regular caddie, Shane Codd, will meet up with her in Scotland for the next two events overseas. So far, the friendly partnership is off to a hot start.
โWe've been practicing a lot together in Orlando and she knows my game really well and we just work really well together, and it's been good,โ said Ewart Shadoff. โShe's a really good green reader. I usually like just for someone to tell me, yeah, that's good, and she's really good at obviously reading the greens.โ
A rain-soaked Saturday made for challenging conditions at Inverness Club as the leaderboard tightened ahead of the final round of the #DriveOn Championship ⛳️👇 pic.twitter.com/NtywhwZmfD
โ LPGA (@LPGA) August 2, 2020
From Texas State Open win to Drive On, Boutier's play is solid
In June, while the LPGA Tour was still sidelined during the quarantine, Celine Boutier returned to the golf course in style, winning the Energy Producers, Inc. Texas Women's Open. She also captured a win on the Women's All-Pro Tour, meaning the Frenchwoman comes into this week's LPGA Drive On Championship as arguably one of the most prepared players on the course.
โI was purposeful about, you know, playing within a decent amount of range before the first tournament on the LPGA so that I wasn't too rusty before I started,โ said Boutier, who has a U.S. base in Dallas. โI feel like I did handle it pretty well because it also kept me motivated to practice. You know when you don't have tournaments for three months, sometimes you don't even want to go to the course. So the fact that I had a couple tournaments -- I think I played like three of them the past two months -- so the fact that I had something to look forward to and some kind of competition going was kind of nice.โ
Those successes aside, the second round at Drive On produced challenges that have nothing to do with Boutier's extensive preparations โ bad weather. But Boutier, who grew up playing in tough conditions, didn't seem to pay the rain too much mind.
โObviously I prefer it dry and sunny, but I feel like I can handle tough weather conditions pretty well,โ said Boutier with a laugh. โLike in Europe it's not always great weather, and I played it Great Britain quite a bit. So I feel like whenever the conditions are tough I kind of actually like it, even though I don't really like enjoy it per se. It's a good challenge and I think especially on this course you have to be very, very smart.โ
Boutier emerged as a star for the European Solheim Cup Team in 2020, going 4-0-0 and leading the squad to victory. She can't help but think about next year's competition, which will be held at Inverness Club, the host venue of the LPGA Drive On Championship.
โDuring the practice round, I was kind of trying to picture what it would be like. I think it's going to be a fun track,โ said Boutier. โI feel like the course this week is in great condition, so I don't think it's going to be playing that much different, which is kind of it's nice. Yeah, I'm really looking forward to watching or playing in the Solheim.โ
On the prowl. @sarahschmelly is within two of the lead. 🔥
โ LPGA (@LPGA) August 1, 2020
Tune in to @GolfChannel to watch! pic.twitter.com/ZF6LUcn39H
Schmelzel goes with the flow
Inverness Club received more than a half inch of rain on Friday and those who competed in the afternoon sat through a 45-minute suspension of play due to the constant rain. Only nine players returned below-par rounds, with Sarah Schmelzel and Alena Sharp both shooting the rounds of the day at 3-under 69. Schmelzel, who heads to the final round tied for fourth, actually enjoyed the inclement weather.
โWhen we were on our way over here we were talking about how much we loved a day like this,โ said Schmelzel, whose best career finish is solo sixth at the 2019 Cambia Portland Classic. โYou almost throw the technique out of window and you're just trying to get the ball in the hole in as few shots as possible. So I loved it. I love days like this and looking forward to tomorrow.โ
As difficult as the conditions were, Inverness Club is infamous for being tricky even on the best days. Patience and open-mindedness are key, and those traits are exactly what Schmelzel says she hopes to embody in Sunday's final round.
โI think the course played so different yesterday from the practice rounds. It just got really firm and fast, and I think that's where I took that mentality of just one shot at a time,โ said Schmelzel. โYou don't know what's going to happen out here. It's a tough golf course. I think just stayed as patient as I possibly could be. This is such is difficult golf course, and you got to take what it gives you really.โ
"I'm just looking forward to tomorrow, being in a new position, and seeing what happens."@sarahschmelly tied the low round of the day with her 3-under 69 and will start Sunday two strokes off the lead in Toledo 👇 pic.twitter.com/nUJOdPK85I
โ LPGA (@LPGA) August 2, 2020
Kawamoto turns to veteran caddie
LPGA Tour rookie Yui Kawamoto returned one of the few red numbers in Saturday's second round, carding two birdies and one bogey in her 1-under 71. The 21-year-old from Japan is tied for fourth heading into the final round, and she credits much of this week's success to a new face on her golf bag โ veteran LPGA Tour caddie Colin Cann, who caddied for some of the biggest names in the game, including major champions Annika Sorenstam, Se Ri Pak, Paula Creamer, Sung Hyun Park and In Gee Chun.
โWe both met through Paula's manager, and he's a super caddie,โ said Kawamoto. โHe tells me what I need to do; he gives me a lot of options, which makes me really comfortable, and that really made a change in my game.โ
Kawamoto made quite a splash in her LPGA Tour debut in January, finishing tied for eighth at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio. After missing the cut in both events in Australia, she returned to her home in Japan during the pandemic-related shutdown. Four months later and Kawamoto received a grand airport sendoff, with numerous media members covering her return to the United States for competition. Now, she's heading into the final round firmly in contention for her first LPGA Tour title.
โI'm just simply very thankful and happy that I'm able to play out here again,โ said Kawamoto. โI'll do the same thing: focus on my game. I'll be ready for tomorrow.โ
Pos. |
Player | To Par |
R1 |
R2 |
Total |
T1 |
Celine Boutier | -5 |
68 |
71 |
139 |
T1 |
Jodi Ewart Shadoff | -5 |
67 |
72 |
139 |
T1 |
Danielle Kang | -5 |
66 |
73 |
139 |
T4 |
Yui Kawamoto | -3 |
70 |
71 |
141 |
T4 |
Sarah Schmelzel | -3 |
72 |
69 |
141 |
T6 |
Sarah Burnham | -2 |
70 |
72 |
142 |
T6 |
Minjee Lee | -2 |
69 |
73 |
142 |
T6 |
Amy Olson | -2 |
69 |
73 |
142 |
T6 |
Lee-Anne Pace | -2 |
68 |
74 |
142 |
T10 |
Mina Harigae | -1 |
71 |
72 |
143 |
T10 |
Hee Young Park | -1 |
70 |
73 |
143 |
T10 |
Kelly Tan | -1 |
71 |
72 |
143 |
T13 |
Carlota Ciganda | E |
70 |
74 |
144 |
T13 |
Perrine Delacour | E |
73 |
71 |
144 |
T13 |
Brittany Lang | E |
72 |
72 |
144 |
T13 |
Caroline Masson | E |
72 |
72 |
144 |
T13 |
Jasmine Suwannapura | E |
74 |
70 |
144 |
T13 |
Anne van Dam | E |
71 |
73 |
144 |
T19 |
Gemma Dryburgh | 1 |
73 |
72 |
145 |
T19 |
Austin Ernst | 1 |
73 |
72 |
145 |
T19 |
Yu Liu | 1 |
73 |
72 |
145 |
T19 |
Mel Reid | 1 |
74 |
71 |
145 |
T19 |
Lexi Thompson | 1 |
73 |
72 |
145 |
T24 |
Brittany Altomare | 2 |
74 |
72 |
146 |
T24 |
Ashleigh Buhai | 2 |
71 |
75 |
146 |
T24 |
Peiyun Chien | 2 |
73 |
73 |
146 |
T24 |
Isi Gabsa | 2 |
76 |
70 |
146 |
T24 |
Jiwon Jeon | 2 |
73 |
73 |
146 |
T24 |
Cristie Kerr | 2 |
73 |
73 |
146 |
T24 |
Azahara Munoz | 2 |
73 |
73 |
146 |
T24 |
Lizette Salas | 2 |
74 |
72 |
146 |
T32 |
Megan Khang | 3 |
74 |
73 |
147 |
T32 |
Min Seo Kwak | 3 |
73 |
74 |
147 |
T32 |
Brittany Lincicome | 3 |
73 |
74 |
147 |
T32 |
Haley Moore | 3 |
72 |
75 |
147 |
T32 |
Anna Nordqvist | 3 |
72 |
75 |
147 |
T32 |
Bianca Pagdanganan | 3 |
74 |
73 |
147 |
T32 |
Morgan Pressel | 3 |
73 |
74 |
147 |
T32 |
Madelene Sagstrom | 3 |
73 |
74 |
147 |
T32 |
Alena Sharp | 3 |
78 |
69 |
147 |
T32 |
Marissa Steen | 3 |
74 |
73 |
147 |
T32 |
Angel Yin | 3 |
74 |
73 |
147 |
T43 |
Cydney Clanton | 4 |
72 |
76 |
148 |
T43 |
Clariss Guce | 4 |
75 |
73 |
148 |
T43 |
Linnea Johansson | 4 |
72 |
76 |
148 |
T43 |
Kim Kaufman | 4 |
72 |
76 |
148 |
T43 |
Sarah Kemp | 4 |
73 |
75 |
148 |
T43 |
Christina Kim | 4 |
74 |
74 |
148 |
T43 |
Jessica Korda | 4 |
75 |
73 |
148 |
T43 |
Jennifer Kupcho | 4 |
72 |
76 |
148 |
T43 |
Stephanie Meadow | 4 |
74 |
74 |
148 |
T43 |
Jenny Shin | 4 |
75 |
73 |
148 |
T43 |
Mariah Stackhouse | 4 |
75 |
73 |
148 |
T43 |
Lindsey Weaver | 4 |
73 |
75 |
148 |
T55 |
Kendall Dye | 5 |
74 |
75 |
149 |
T55 |
Dana Finkelstein | 5 |
70 |
79 |
149 |
T55 |
Lydia Ko | 5 |
69 |
80 |
149 |
T55 |
Ruixin Liu | 5 |
75 |
74 |
149 |
T55 |
Jennifer Song | 5 |
74 |
75 |
149 |
T60 |
Jennifer Chang (a) | 6 |
77 |
73 |
150 |
T60 |
In Gee Chun | 6 |
77 |
73 |
150 |
T60 |
Katelyn Dambaugh | 6 |
76 |
74 |
150 |
T60 |
Celine Herbin | 6 |
75 |
75 |
150 |
T60 |
Haeji Kang | 6 |
76 |
74 |
150 |
T60 |
Nelly Korda | 6 |
76 |
74 |
150 |
T60 |
Andrea Lee | 6 |
78 |
72 |
150 |
T60 |
Stacy Lewis | 6 |
77 |
73 |
150 |
T60 |
Xiyu Lin | 6 |
76 |
74 |
150 |
T60 |
Gerina Piller | 6 |
76 |
74 |
150 |
T60 |
Robynn Ree | 6 |
74 |
76 |
150 |
T60 |
Paula Reto | 6 |
73 |
77 |
150 |
T60 |
Klara Spilkova | 6 |
75 |
75 |
150 |
T60 |
Angela Stanford | 6 |
74 |
76 |
150 |
T60 |
Kris Tamulis | 6 |
71 |
79 |
150 |
T60 |
Charlotte Thomas | 6 |
73 |
77 |
150 |
T60 |
Albane Valenzuela | 6 |
73 |
77 |
150 |
T60 |
Cheyenne Woods | 6 |
75 |
75 |
150 |
T60 |
Amy Yang | 6 |
73 |
77 |
150 |
CUT |
Matilda Castren | 7 |
79 |
72 |
151 |
CUT |
Bronte Law | 7 |
78 |
73 |
151 |
CUT |
Pernilla Lindberg | 7 |
79 |
72 |
151 |
CUT |
Annie Park | 7 |
74 |
77 |
151 |
CUT |
Sarah Jane Smith | 7 |
79 |
72 |
151 |
CUT |
Yujeong Son | 7 |
76 |
75 |
151 |
CUT |
Emma Talley | 7 |
80 |
71 |
151 |
CUT |
Laetitia Beck | 8 |
75 |
77 |
152 |
CUT |
Dori Carter | 8 |
78 |
74 |
152 |
CUT |
Youngin Chun | 8 |
76 |
76 |
152 |
CUT |
Muni He | 8 |
73 |
79 |
152 |
CUT |
Katherine Kirk | 8 |
77 |
75 |
152 |
CUT |
Alison Lee | 8 |
77 |
75 |
152 |
CUT |
Ally McDonald | 8 |
74 |
78 |
152 |
CUT |
Elizabeth Nagel | 8 |
76 |
76 |
152 |
CUT |
Haru Nomura | 8 |
78 |
74 |
152 |
CUT |
Beatriz Recari | 8 |
74 |
78 |
152 |
CUT |
Lauren Stephenson | 8 |
74 |
78 |
152 |
CUT |
Linnea Strom | 8 |
76 |
76 |
152 |
CUT |
Jing Yan | 8 |
79 |
73 |
152 |
CUT |
Jenny Coleman | 9 |
77 |
76 |
153 |
CUT |
Laura Diaz | 9 |
74 |
79 |
153 |
CUT |
Tiffany Joh | 9 |
81 |
72 |
153 |
CUT |
Kyung Kim | 9 |
79 |
74 |
153 |
CUT |
Esther Lee | 9 |
76 |
77 |
153 |
CUT |
Rachel Rohanna | 9 |
74 |
79 |
153 |
CUT |
Maia Schechter | 9 |
70 |
83 |
153 |
CUT |
Patty Tavatanakit | 9 |
76 |
77 |
153 |
CUT |
Jacqui Concolino | 10 |
78 |
76 |
154 |
CUT |
Lauren Coughlin | 10 |
78 |
76 |
154 |
CUT |
Daniela Darquea | 10 |
77 |
77 |
154 |
CUT |
Caroline Inglis | 10 |
75 |
79 |
154 |
CUT |
Cheyenne Knight | 10 |
77 |
77 |
154 |
CUT |
Giulia Molinaro | 10 |
79 |
75 |
154 |
CUT |
Elizabeth Szokol | 10 |
80 |
74 |
154 |
CUT |
Brianna Do | 11 |
78 |
77 |
155 |
CUT |
Lindy Duncan | 11 |
81 |
74 |
155 |
CUT |
Jillian Hollis | 11 |
76 |
79 |
155 |
CUT |
Alana Uriell | 11 |
82 |
73 |
155 |
CUT |
Suzuka Yamaguchi | 11 |
78 |
77 |
155 |
CUT |
Dottie Ardina | 12 |
78 |
78 |
156 |
CUT |
Maria Fassi | 12 |
79 |
77 |
156 |
CUT |
Lee Lopez | 12 |
75 |
81 |
156 |
CUT |
Louise Ridderstrom | 12 |
74 |
82 |
156 |
CUT |
Maria Fernanda Torres | 13 |
76 |
81 |
157 |
CUT |
Julieta Granada | 14 |
81 |
77 |
158 |
CUT |
Natalie Gulbis | 15 |
81 |
78 |
159 |
CUT |
Kristy McPherson | 15 |
79 |
80 |
159 |
CUT |
Alison Walshe | 15 |
80 |
79 |
159 |
CUT |
Ashli Bunch | 16 |
79 |
81 |
160 |
CUT |
Vicky Hurst | 16 |
83 |
77 |
160 |
CUT |
Ryann O'Toole | 17 |
83 |
78 |
161 |
CUT |
Kris Tschetter | 19 |
82 |
81 |
163 |
CUT |
Tiffany Chan | 21 |
79 |
86 |
165 |