Local Sports
Liu leads in Harder Hall Invite
Mark Pinson | Highlands Today
Published: January 4, 2013
SEBRING - After waiting through a two hour, 50 minute fog delay, Mika Liu carded a 6-under par 66 to take the first round lead in the 58th Harder Hall Women's Invitational on Thursday.Published: January 4, 2013
More than 50 golfers out of the 131 competitors weren't able to finish their rounds because of darkness and will come back out this morning to complete their first 18 holes.
Liu had nines of 33-33, which included seven birdies over the tight and demanding Harder Hall Country Club course.
Amira Alexander was in second place with a 70, while Amy Ruengmateekhun, Erica Popson and Annabel Dimmock each shot a 71.
Taylor Gohn, Mary Jane Hiestand and Latana Stone were at 72. JiaXin Yang and 2011 champion Ashleigh Albrecht came in with a 73.
Albrecht's score is even more impressive considering she made a double-bogey 7 on the par 5 first hole after hitting her drive out-of-bounds.
Albrecht, who is a senior on the University of Kentucky's women's golf team, carded a 40 on the front nine, but kept her composure and roared back into contention with a fine 33 on the back nine.
Sebring's Kendall Griffin was one of many players who weren't able to finish their rounds because of darkness, but the talented youngster was off to a great start with a 35 on her first nine holes.
Griffin is one of the top junior golfers in the country and has a bright future ahead of her.
Tee times will begin at 7:40 a.m. today and hopefully, the dense fog that delayed Thursday's start will not develop.
Most of the players at the top of the leaderboard will be teeing off in the afternoon foursomes today after playing in the early groups in the first round.
For complete coverage and photos from the tournament, be sure to read the Highlands Today sports section.