Trish Johnson leads Suquamish

Clearwater Legends Cup

SEATTLE, June 9, 2018 – Former European Solheim Cup stalwart Trish Johnson took a four-shot lead in the first round of the Suquamish Clearwater Legends Cup.

Johnson from England carded an opening-round score of 6-under 66 at White Horse Golf Club in Kingston, Washington. She leads Americans Lisa Grimes and Michele Redman, both at 2-under 70.

“With the exception of the downpour, it was actually quite pleasant out there,” said Johnson. 

Players were greeted by sunny summer weather in the Pacific Northwest until a heavy rainstorm soaked the course in the afternoon of Saturday’s first round. Play was suspended at 3:10 pm Pacific with nine groups still on the course when course conditions became unplayable.

 

The round resumed after a 90min delay with players returning to the course at 5 p.m. At that point, Johnson stood at 5-under par, with Lisa Grimes at 2 under as the clubhouse leader.

Johnson left her driver in the bag during Saturday’s round, opting, instead, to use 3- and 5-woods to navigate the course.

 

“You have to work out strategically where you want to be on this golf course,” she explained. “The pins are in such a position that you can’t miss left or right on any hole. You’ve got to be right on the button every time.”

 

Even without her driver, Johnson put herself in position to use wedges and shorter irons into the greens, which she credited for her ability to convert for birdies.

Redman got her round off to a solid start with a 25-foot birdie putt on the first hole, but said she hopes to card more birdies in Sunday’s final round.

“These greens are hard to read and they look different than what really happens sometimes,” she said.

 

Making her Legends Tour debut this week, Edwall resident Wendy Ward recorded a one-over-par score of 73 to move into a tie for fifth with Nancy Scranton -- two shots behind Michelle McGann at 1-under 71.

“I had a little trouble figuring out the speed and staying aggressive,” said Ward, who left the LPGA Tour as a full-time player in 2015. “Honestly, I got a little nervous down the stretch, but I look forward to finishing stronger tomorrow.”

Sunday’s final round will start at 9 a.m. local time with Trish Johnson and Lisa Grimes playing in the final pairing at 11:20 a.m.

 

To view the leaderboard, visit http://leaderboard.thelegendstour.com/?TID=79

 

Live streaming will be available on Sunday from the first tee from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., as well as from 2:30-4:30 p.m. from the scoring tent for post-round interviews. To watch, subscribe free to  http://www.youtube.com/legendstour.