Lewis cards even-par 71 in first round of JFOCC

FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas junior Stacy Lewis fired an even par 71 in opening round action of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic presented by Kroger Thursday. Lewis, a The Woodlands, Texas, native, came off the golf course tied with 15 other players for 31st position in the 143-player field. She is tied with several professional players including Laura Davies and Beth Daniel among others. "The wind was really tough today," said Lewis. "It was blowing in different directions on different holes. It made it difficult to pick a club. I’m pleased with my round today. I’m not really going to change anything for tomorrow. Anything under par in the afternoon was a really good round today. I play in the morning tomorrow and the wind really shouldn’t be as much of a factor." She began her day with an afternoon round starting on the ninth hole at Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio. She birdied the ninth hole, a long par four, and added a second birdie on the par five 17th making the turn at two-under. "Stacy hit the ball close on the ninth and made a nice putt," observed Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes. "She played the par five (17th hole) perfectly and made two solid birdies in the first nine. Stacy prepares for each tournament as they come. She gets herself ready to win. Events like this give her the confidence that when she turns pro, she knows she can play with anyone." Lewis gave the strokes back on the third and fourth holes with back-to-back bogeys but finished her round even remaining in good position for Friday’s second round. Se Ri Pak blistered the 6,428-yard course opening with an eight-under 63 and leads the field. Alena Sharp finished with a six-under 65, followed by Jin Young Pak with a four-under 67. Lewis continues play Friday hoping to be among the top 72 players at the day’s end. The top 72 players, plus all ties, advance to Saturday and Sunday’s championship play. Lewis’ last foray into an LPGA event saw her finish tied for fifth overall at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in the early spring. She was the highest finishing amateur in the field. She is the only player listed as an amateur on the leaderboard at the JFOCC. Lewis is making her second consecutive appearance at the event. She competed last year but did not make the cut. The Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic is slated to be televised Friday-Sunday on ESPN2. For more information about Lewis or the Lady Razorback golf team, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.