Lewis poised to make the cut at Kraft Nabisco Championship

FAYETTEVILLE – University of Arkansas junior golfer Stacy Lewis is poised to make the cut at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Friday, in the second LPGA event of her amateur career. Lewis, who is coming off a solid performance as a collegiate golfer at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic, received an exemption to the Kraft Nabisco Championship this week. The Woodlands, Texas, native opened with a one-under 71 and fired a one-over 73 Friday for a 144. She left the golf course tied for ninth overall and will likely make the cut for Saturday and Sunday’s play. “Stacy said the course played a little easier today,” said Arkansas assistant coach Shauna Estes who spoke to her following the round. “Stacy said she didn’t hit it quite as well today but she was really tired. She came off the course in an awesome spot.” Estes also noted that Lewis played in front of LPGA legends Karrie Webb (70-77-147) and Lorena Ochoa (69-71=140) with Ochoa leading the field. The galleries were very large for Lewis and the experience was one she won’t forget. “Stacy said there were a lot of people cheering for her as an amateur,” said Estes. “This is such a great experience for Stacy and great recognition for the Lady Razorback program.” Lewis’ collegiate career includes back-to-back first team all-Southeastern Conference and all-American honors. She was the SEC Championship medalist at the 2005 SEC Championship and finished ninth overall at last year’s NCAA Championship posting a course record 66 in the final round of play. She is coming off a stellar summer amateur season in which she was the top-ranked amateur player in the nation for much of the summer. Lewis finished 2006 as the Golf World Amateur of the Year. Lewis also received an exemption to play in last year’s Owens Corning Jamie Farr Classic in Ohio. She did not make the cut in her only other LPGA appearance. Lewis will likely finish Friday in the top 10 and play in one of the later rounds on Saturday. For more information about Lewis and Arkansas golf please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.