Village of Pinehurst, N.C. – When Megan Khang of Rockland, Mass., arrived at The Country Club
of North Carolina for the 2010 U.S. Girls’ Junior, she owned a career-low round of 73, shot at a
course in her home state.
After a 2-under 70 in the first round of stroke play Monday, Khang not only has a new
career low, but a share of the lead at the par-72, 6,331-yard Dogwood Course at The Country Club
of North Carolina.
The highlight of Khang’s round came on the par-5 18th hole, the ninth of her round, when
she holed out from 45 yards for eagle.
The eagle was somewhat shocking because I was right in front of the bunker so I couldn’t
really see the pin, said the 12-year-old Khang,. But I saw the top of it and I chipped it and
apparently it was on line. I just heard everyone screaming and my mom yelling and I was like,
‘Oh, I guess that went in.’
Khang, who missed the cut at the Girls’ Junior a year ago after rounds of 86-91, thought
she might be able to record a good score at CCNC.
I actually love this course, she said. I have had confidence in my game the past few days,
so I really thought I could play well.
Sharing the lead with Khang is 15-year-old Summar Roachell of Conway, Ark., who bogeyed her
first two holes but came back with four birdies, including one at the sixth hole when she holed
out from a greenside bunker.
I was driving the ball really well and that was putting me in position to hit good shots,
said Roachell. And my putting was really good. If I hit it 5 feet past the hole I knew I could
make that so my putting kept me in it.
It was a good start for Roachell, who is playing in her first USGA championship.
I feel relieved to get the first round out of the way, she said. With it being my first
one, I was a little nervous, so to go out and shoot two under, it kind of calms everything down.
One stroke off the lead was Jisoo Keel, 14, of Canada. Stephanie Liu, 13, of St. Albans,
Mo., carded an even-par 72.
Among the field’s 78 players who will play their first round Monday afternoon is 2007 U.S.
Girls’ Junior champion Kristen Park, 17, of Buena Park, Calif.
After a second day of stroke play Tuesday, the U.S. Girls’ Junior field will be reduced to 64
players for match play. The first round of match play is scheduled for Wednesday, the second and
third rounds will be played Thursday, the quarterfinal and semifinal matches will be played
Friday, and the 36-hole championship final will be played Saturday.
The U.S. Girls’ Junior is one of 13 championships conducted annually by the United States
Golf Association each year, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs.
Beth
Murrison
is the USGA's manager of championship communications. For questions or comments, contact her
at
bmurrison@usga.org
.