Lizette Salas - © LPGA

Lizette Salas had the turn of her life on the final round at the AIG Women's Open 2019, setting Woburn on fire with a 65 card, a fine effort that just missed a point to beat Japan's Hinako Shibuno, victorious with a birdie on the last hole. The American was equally impressive, dominating the Atlanta Athletic Club with a score of 67, (-5), one stroke better than Charley Hull in the first round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

Particularly efficient at the driver - she only missed two fairways on the difficult Highlands Course - and playing with renewed confidence, Salas did not bogey. Starting with the back nine, she birdied on No.12, 17 and 18, then came back with birdies on holes 4 and 5. She was also very solid on the green, only using her putter. that 26 times.

"It was definitely not easy" she said of major conditions at this historic site. “We started with fairly wet conditions this morning, but the greens are rolling extremely well. I had a very good warm-up. I was really confident going into this week, and I think my game is really suitable for this golf course. "

Hull, who started in the afternoon, also started with the last nine holes and went to -4 thanks to a birdie on the 8 - his 17th hole - to finish at 68, six birdies including four of its last eight holes. against two bogeys.

"I feel like I'm in a good state of mind right now, having fun"said Hull, who is feeling the effects of the pandemic separation from his family in England. “I'm going home on Monday so I can't wait to see my friends and family. I suffered a bit from being away from my family for so long. "

Two shots behind at 69 are Jeongeun Lee6, Jessica Korda, Austin Ernst, Dani Holmqvist, Yealimi Noh, Xiyu Lin and Alena Sharp. Nelly Korda, who is chasing her first major title after winning last week at the Meijer Classic, is part of the 70-man field, including major champions Ariya Jutanugarn, In Gee Chun and Patty Tavatanakit.

Salas, who is trying to find a place in the American Solheim Cup team, seems to be on top of his game on difficult courses. Her LPGA Tour victory came at the Kingsmill Resort in 2014 and she has a good recent history at the Women's PGA. While missing the cut last year, she was T-5 in 2019 and T-8 in 2018. And she came to the Atlanta Athletic Club playing her best golf for quite some time in the last five events. .

“At the start of the year, we started with a goal, a plan, and sometimes that plan deteriorates before it gets better. Right before the Pure Silk I really analyzed my game and spoke with my coach and trainer to find out what we need to do because we are running out of events and the Solheim Cup is upon us ”, said Salas.

Lizette, who has represented the United States in the last four Solheim Cups, is No.19 on the points list, with the top seven securing an automatic spot. She is also No. 45 in the Rolex Ranking and could secure one of the two available spots that way. In addition, her team spirit and solid game in recent Solheim Cups put her on the short list of three wild cards chosen by captain Pat Hurst.

"I know that these courses are difficult", she said. “I think I could play well in these big events and fight, and I think it's mostly the change in everything that is, that self-confidence, and I'm not afraid to be here anymore. It's funny. John did a great job ”, she said of the return of her caddy John Killeen, who had worked with her during her victory at Kingsmill.

Lizette Salas also has a remarkable history for Drive On. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, she learned golf when her father Ramon traded in his mechanic skills for golf lessons for Lizette. She then used her skills to earn a scholarship to the University of Southern California, where she was a four-time All-American.

Although adversity is a part of her past - Ramon drove her to Symetra Tour events in her pickup, where they sometimes had to sleep - Salas, like many people, found the year of the pandemic extremely difficult.

"I really didn't like myself in 2020, and I think with all the COVID and not being able to work and having golf as an outlet, it really hit me."said Salas, who played 13 tournaments in 2020 and only had one top 10, falling from 26 in 2019 scoring average to 52 last year, her worst average since joining the Tour in 2012.

"I'm happy to be where I am right now and look forward to the next few days", said Salas.

So much about golf is a family affair for Les Salas. When Lizette completed her first Solheim Cup in 2013, her mother Martha wiped a tear and said: “You don't know what it means for two Mexican immigrants to see their daughters represent the United States. "

In Woburn, they almost saw their daughter win a major championship. It's a dream that could come true this week at the KPMG Women's PGA.

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To read our last article about the KPMG Women's PGA:

KPMG Women's PGA Championship: Boutier, Delacour and Herbin at the start