UA's Lewis finishes first in 'non-event'
Lady'Back golfer leads before rain cancels LPGA tournament
Brandon Harris
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Sports
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Stacy Lewis knew she couldn't walk away from the LPGA Northwest Arkansas Championship with any money. Still a student and golfer at Arkansas, Lewis is classified as an amateur, and while she may compete in LPGA events, she is not eligible to receive the payday a professional would if she were to finish well.
Through her second round Saturday, it appeared such a scenario was very possible, but shortly thereafter, the opportunity disappeared.
The senior Lady'Back golfer shot a 7-under 65 in her first round of play Saturday to take a one-shot lead on a course she knows well. But hours after she finished and the forecast of even more rain lurked ahead of an already rain-soaked and delay-ridden event, officials called off the remainder of the tournament and declared it a "non-event."
Rain delayed Friday's opening round 4 1/2 hours, preventing several golfers - including Lewis - from finishing their first 18 holes. Lewis finished hers Saturday morning. When the tournament was canceled later that day, many of golfers still hadn't finished their opening round and had to wait until Sunday to complete it.
Lewis, the only amateur in the 144-player field, was still atop the leaderboard once everyone completed their opening round Sunday, but LPGA rules require that at least 36 holes be completed for the event to be officially recognized. Lewis did, however, receive the tournament trophy.
"I played well," Lewis said. "Obviously I'm disappointed that we didn't get to finish the tournament. (Saturday) was a roller coaster of emotions for me. I was happy to have shot my lowest competitive round, but it was a knife in the heart to not really win.
"It's just one round of golf. I wish we could have finished."
Had she gone on to win the tournament officially, Lewis would have been the first amateur to win an LPGA tournament since Joanne Carner won the Burdine's Invitational in 1969.
"I have the confidence that I can play with the best players in the world," Lewis said. "I'm ready to get back to the team element of golf that college gives me. I'm really looking forward to this final season."
Through her second round Saturday, it appeared such a scenario was very possible, but shortly thereafter, the opportunity disappeared.
The senior Lady'Back golfer shot a 7-under 65 in her first round of play Saturday to take a one-shot lead on a course she knows well. But hours after she finished and the forecast of even more rain lurked ahead of an already rain-soaked and delay-ridden event, officials called off the remainder of the tournament and declared it a "non-event."
Rain delayed Friday's opening round 4 1/2 hours, preventing several golfers - including Lewis - from finishing their first 18 holes. Lewis finished hers Saturday morning. When the tournament was canceled later that day, many of golfers still hadn't finished their opening round and had to wait until Sunday to complete it.
Lewis, the only amateur in the 144-player field, was still atop the leaderboard once everyone completed their opening round Sunday, but LPGA rules require that at least 36 holes be completed for the event to be officially recognized. Lewis did, however, receive the tournament trophy.
"I played well," Lewis said. "Obviously I'm disappointed that we didn't get to finish the tournament. (Saturday) was a roller coaster of emotions for me. I was happy to have shot my lowest competitive round, but it was a knife in the heart to not really win.
"It's just one round of golf. I wish we could have finished."
Had she gone on to win the tournament officially, Lewis would have been the first amateur to win an LPGA tournament since Joanne Carner won the Burdine's Invitational in 1969.
"I have the confidence that I can play with the best players in the world," Lewis said. "I'm ready to get back to the team element of golf that college gives me. I'm really looking forward to this final season."
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