Chevron Championship in Texas: Lauren Coughlin Emerges as First-Round Leader
American golfer Lauren Coughlin takes the lead in the Chevron Championship’s first round with a remarkable 66, demonstrating superb putting and strategic play alongside her husband turned caddie. Get insights into the intense competition as other top golfers aim to challenge her position.
Golf enthusiasts were treated to an exciting start at the Chevron Championship in Texas, as American golfer Lauren Coughlin took the first-round lead with a brilliant opening 66 on Thursday.
Coughlin, who is making her 11th appearance in an LPGA Tour major championship this week, showcased her exceptional skills on the greens, going bogey-free with six birdies – three on the front nine and three on the back. She hit 14 out of 18 greens, recorded 10 one-putts, and needed just 26 putts to complete her impressive round.
“I think my husband and I had a really good game plan, and I wasn’t trying to be too aggressive out there,” Coughlin said. “Just trying to take a 30-footer or, I might have a chip here or there, just knowing that that’s the appropriate place to be.”
Her husband, John Pond, recently started caddying for her, and their strategic approach seemed to pay off.
Coughlin’s first-round lead is just the second time in her career that she has held this position after the opening day of a tournament. The American has made the cut in only two of her 10 previous starts in majors, but she is hoping to build on her recent performances, having finished T15 and T16 in the 2023 and 2022 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, respectively.
Nipping at Coughlin’s heels are two-time LPGA Tour winner Marina Alex, eight-time JLPGA winner Minami Katsu, and major champion Nelly Korda, who is chasing her fifth consecutive win on Tour.
Notably, defending champion Lilia Vu was forced to withdraw from the Chevron Championship moments before her first-round tee-off due to a back injury, a disappointing development for the reigning champion.
The opening day of the Chevron Championship has set the stage for an enthralling weekend of golf, with Coughlin’s impressive performance putting her in a prime position to challenge for the title.
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