Colorado Golf Hall of Famer McGill leads by 4 after 66 in Senior LPGA Championship; Choi opens with 70 in stage II of LPGA Q-school
By Gary Baines – 10/14/2019
Jill McGill never won in a long LPGA Tour career, but she’s put herself in position to win a women’s senior major this week.
The Denver native, Colorado resident and Colorado Golf Hall of Fame inductee shot a 6-under-par 66 on Monday and grabbed a four-stroke lead after the first round of the Senior LPGA Championship in French Lick, Ind.
McGill, a two-time USGA national champion and winner of $2.3 million in her LPGA career, made eight birdies on Monday — all on par-3s or par-4s.
McGill was identified as a Colorado Golf Hall of Famer during Monday’s Golf Channel telecast and she later noted how Clayton Cole (a fellow Hall of Famer) had given her a tip that helped her play well on Monday.
McGill (pictured) was one of only five players — out of a field of 78 — to break par in round 1 of the 54-hole event. She leads Rosie Jones and Moira Dunn-Bohls by four. Audra Burks and Maria McBride opened with 71s, while accomplished veterans Juli Inkster and Helen Crafter were among those who posted 72s.
Meanwhile, part-time Lakewood resident Hollis Stacy was inducted into the Legends Hall of Fame on Friday. Stacy, winner of three U.S. Women’s Opens and three U.S. Girls’ Juniors, is likewise a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. She won 18 times in her LPGA Tour career.
Stacy fired a 78 in Monday’s first round in French Lick.
For all the scores from the Senior LPGA Championship, CLICK HERE.
— Choi Opens With 70 at LPGA Q-School Stage II: Former University of Colorado golfer Robyn Choi, who was a rookie on the LPGA Tour in 2019 but lost her card, shot a bogey-free 2-under-par 70 on Monday and shares 31st place after the opening round of the second stage of LPGA Tour Q-school in Venice, Fla.
After 72 holes, at least the top 30 players and ties will advance to the LPGA Q-Series, scheduled for Oct. 23 to Nov. 2 in Pinehurst, N.C.. Those at the next-best score, or scores, also will move on if the total number of players in the Q-Series does not exceed 108. Sixty players are exempt and entered at present.
Joining Choi in shooting a sub-par round on Monday was former Denver resident Emily Gilbreth (1-under 71, 38th place). Former University of Denver golfer Tonje Daffinrud, a regular on the Ladies European Tour, posted an even-par 72, leaving her in 60th place.
Olivia Cowan carded an 8-under-par 64 to lead the 185-player field.
Here are the scores for all the players competing who have strong Colorado connections:
31. Former CU golfer Robyn Choi 70
38. Former Denver winner Emily Gilbreth 71
60. Former DU golfer Tonje Daffinrud 72
148. Former DU golfer Mariell Bruun 76
160. Former CU golfer Brittany Fan 77
173. Becca Huffer of Monument 79
For all the LPGA Q-school scores, CLICK HERE.