Scott Pieri received shocking news Tuesday morning.The gallery got a show from Angela Stanford on the 18th green, when her chip from about 20 feet out went straight into the hole.
“A little bit of luck makes the day better, I guess,” Stanford said.
As if she needed it.
In the reformatted version of the Mad Anthonys Charity Classic for Children, which now features 12 LPGA professionals playing for parts of a $300,000 purse, Stanford was in a realm all her own Sunday.
She shot a 4-under 68 at Sycamore Hills Golf Club.
The only other player under par was Stacy Lewis at 1 under.
“It’s a tough track,” said Stanford, who had seven birdies and three bogeys on the 6,631-yard course.
The staff thought it was being generous with the setup. But the scores told another story.
“You have to shoot some quality golf shots. I think the greens are well protected. It’s a great golf course,” Stanford said of Sycamore Hills.
Stanford, who has been on tour since 2001 and has won more than $6.8 million, has been to Fort Wayne before for the Charity Classic for Children. But this was her first time playing Sycamore Hills, which she left adoring.
“I like golf courses that give you opportunities to make birdies but also have some challenging par-4s. I like the par-5s and then throw in some good par-4s, so I like the whole thing,” said Stanford, who has won one tour event this year – the HSBC Women’s Championship – and is 11th on the money list with $333,000.
Lewis has won twice on tour this year, at the Mobile Bay Classic and the ShopRite Classic, and she’s second on the money list with $857,000. She’s within striking distance, even though she was inconsistent with nine pars, six birdies, two double bogeys and a bogey.
“I played OK today, it being my first time seeing the course,” Lewis said. “The course was hard, and you really have to hit some good shots. Being 1 under, I’m happy with that.”
Azahara Munoz and Beatriz Recari both shot 72s and are four strokes off the lead in the non-sanctioned event that raises money for the Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House, which provides lodging and support services for the families of children undergoing pediatric and neonatal treatment.
Stanford’s scorecard was lost for about two hours after she came off the course, meaning her score wasn’t able to be registered until the day’s rounds were over.
“I haven’t actually looked at a score all day and don’t even know where I stand or what the scores are,” Lewis said. “This is more about having fun with the amateurs and giving them a good experience. If you win, it’s just a bonus.”
Lewis said she expects to do better today, when the winner will rake in $50,000.
“(Today), my mentality will just be the same thing. I should be a little better now that I know some of the spots and where to miss on some holes,” she said. “The golf course is just hard so you have to take what it gives you.”
Belen Mozo was in fifth place at 2 over. Vicky Hurst and Christina Kim were at 3 over.
