(Getty Images photo)
An opening-round 4-under-par 67 has Emma Talley just one shot off the lead at the DIO Implants LA Open at Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles.
Talley had five birdies and just one bogey over her first 18 holes. She needed just 26 putts to complete the first round.
“I putted well today. (The greens are) just tricky,” said Talley after the round. “To putt well in the afternoon, that’s great because tomorrow I’ll have fresh greens at 7:30 in the morning. I think it sets up really good for a fade which is what I hit.
“I also have always loved this golf course ever since my rookie year. For some reason, it sets up good for my eye. I’m hitting the ball really well right now, and that goes a long way, especially when it’s windy.”
Alison Lee carded the lone bogey-free round of the day at the LA Open, taking the solo lead after a 5-under 66.
The former Caldwell County High School and University of Alabama star held the lead at 5-under at one point before suffering her only bogey of the day on the par-4 No. 8 hole — her 17th hole of the day.
Nasa Hataoka and Emily Kristine Pedersen join Talley at 4-under after one round.
Talley, who has never won on the LPGA Tour, said she felt confident about the final 54 holes.
“I’ve been playing really well,” she noted. “I worked really hard in the off-season with all my coaches, my trainers, my mental coach. I could go on and on. There is a big team around me. We have been working very hard and I feel confident. There is a lot of golf to be played, but at least I know I feel good about my game. I’m excited for the next three days.”
Talley’s playing partners in the first two rounds are Cheyenne Knight of Aledo, Texas, and Stephanie Kyriacou of Sydney, Australia.
In Friday’s second round, that group will tee off at 7:37 a.m. in Los Angeles or 9:37 a.m. Central time.
One-hundred forty-four golfers began play Thursday morning in the 72-hole stroke play event. After Friday’s second round, the field will be cut to the low 70 scores plus ties.
