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Leader Kupcho excited after Augusta National practice
AUGUSTA, United States, April 6, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Top-ranked leader
Jennifer Kupcho was pleased with her practice Friday ahead of the final round
of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur at the famed home course of the
Masters.
Kupcho stood on 5-under par 139 with a one-stroke lead over Mexico’s Maria
Fassi after 36 holes at nearby Champions Retreat with Americans Kaitlyn Papp
and Sierra Brooks and Thailand’s Pimnipa Panthong another stroke adrift.
All 72 competitors enjoyed a practice round Friday at Augusta National but
only the top 30 advanced to compete over 18 holes, women battling for a
trophy at the iconic course for the first time.
Kupcho and Fassi will tee off in the last group at 10:20 a.m. while
Americans Anna Redding and Allisen Corpuz tee off in the first pairing at 8
a.m. Saturday after ceremonial first-tee shots by former LPGA stars Annika
Sorenstam, Lorena Ochoa and Nancy Lopez.
Kupcho worked Friday with caddie Brian Murphy, her bagman when she toured
the course in 2017 with her Wake Forest University team and again in the
final round.
“It was just a lot of fun to see the course again,” Kupcho said. “I played
really well and was hitting the ball well. So I think I’m ready for
tomorrow.”
Fassi, a University of Arkansas senior, reached the green in two shots on
all four of Augusta National’s par-5 holes on Friday.
“It was unreal,” Fassi said. “It’s really hard to describe how amazing
everything was out there. I was excited on every single shot I hit and just
hitting those putts and seeing how much they break.”
Her college coach, Jose Maria Sanchez, will be her caddie Saturday.
“It is going to be a battle out there, not only between me and Jennifer but
like two or three groups behind us as well,” Fassi said.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0933 hrs