UVA ROOKIE ELIZABETH SZOKOL IN MIX
Rookie Elizabeth Szokol (Winnetka, Ill.) fired a 4-under 68 to climb from T30 into the top-10 entering the final round of the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Szokol said. “The people are really nice out here. I’m excited to start playing and start the season.”
Szokol has been taking advantage of the par-5s this week playing them in a total of 7-under par thus far.
“I’ve been playing them really well,” Szokol said of the par-5s. “Either hitting them in two or getting up really close and making birdies on them so that’s been pretty good.”
The strong play on the par-5s has been brought on by extensive training in the offseason in both Racho Mirage, Calif. and on campus in Charlottesville, Va., where she just graduated from the University of Virginia.
“I worked a lot on my long irons,” Szokol explained. “That was my main focus especially after final stage of Q-School. That was my main goal so those are a lot better and those help with par-5s which leads to more birdie opportunities which is good.“
Asked what her key for the final round would be Szokol smiled and said.
“Go and have a good day. Keep playing well on the par-5s and try to make a few more putts and just keep hitting the ball well. Just keep having fun.”
ROOKIE BREMER HAS CONNECTION TO STACY LEWIS
In her Epson Tour debut, Regan Bremer (Orange County, Calif.) sits in a tie for 17th after two rounds at the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic. The rookie has her mom, Emily, on the bag for her this week in Winter Haven.“She walks along with me and is good company to have,” Bremer said. “She doesn’t do a lot with golf but I just like having her here.”
Bremer also has the support from afar in LPGA star Stacy Lewis who is married to Bremer’s college coach at Houston, Gerrod Chadwell.
“Stacy is around a lot,” Bremer said. “She’s great. She’s fun to talk to and give great advice too. It’s really cool to have Stacy around.”
ROTH VALUES RELATIONSHIP WITH 2016 POY
Julia Roth and 2016 Epson Tour Player of the Year, Madelene Sagstrom, spent much of the offseason training together in the Orlando area.
“When you’re around her, you just feel good, you can’t really be negative about anything,” explained Roth. “She’s obviously a great golfer, but she is also an awesome person.”
Roth posted a 3-under, 69 on Saturday and stands in a tie for sixth at 4-under, 140.
Roth has a chance to best her career finish, which was a T8 at the 2016 W.B. Mason Championship in Brockton, Mass.
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