Stephenson, Not Bothered by Wind and Rain, Shoots 68
Jan Stephenson overcame an early bogey with five birdies to shoot a four-under-par 68 for a one-stroke lead after Thursday’s wind-and rain-swept first round of the $300,000 Hawaiian Ladies Open.
Stephenson and the rest of the field had to battle wind gusts of up to 30 m.p.h. and occasionally heavy rain that battered the 6,220-yard Turtle Bay Resort course on Oahu’s north shore.
“I grew up in wind like this--I’m used to it,” Stephenson said. “This golf course doesn’t suit me unless it’s windy.”
Ayaka Okamato, the 1987 LPGA player of the year who is playing in her first tour event of the year, was one stroke back at 69.
LPGA Hall of Famer JoAnne Carner was at 2-under-par 70, tied with Beth Daniel, Barb Thomas, Shirley Furlong, Sally Quinlan and Kathy Postlewait.
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