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.
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.
Beth Murrison is the USGA's manager of championship communications. For questions or comments, contact her at bmurrison@usga.org .