Karen Stupples continues hot run of form

Karen Stupples is playing with the confidence of a champion.

Teeing off just hours after a 13-hour flight from London, and without seeing the course, Stupples had seven birdies in a 6-under-par 65 Thursday for a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic.

Still caught up in the excitement of winning the Women's British Open on Sunday, Stupples said she "floated around the course" after arriving in the Toledo area Wednesday evening and spending the night with friends. She caught some sleep on the flight and got a good night's rest and then picked up where she left off on the Old Course at Sunningdale after a five-stroke victory.

"The way I played last week gave me a lot of confidence in how I managed myself around the golf course," Stupples said.

One day into the 72-hole tournament, however, Stupples was well aware of her closest pursuers.

U.S. Open winner Meg Mallon, an Ohio State alum and a gallery favorite, had a run of three straight birdies and then birdied three of four in another stretch in a round of 66 that left her tied with defending champion Se Ri Pak.

Brandie Burton, Yu-Ping Lin, Catriona Matthew, Angela Jerman and Marisa Baena shared fourth place at 67. Rachel Teske, the 2002 Farr winner, opened with a 72.

Pak is trying for a record-tying fifth victory in the tournament. Only Mickey Wright has won an event five times. She claimed the Sea Island Open in 1957-58, 1960-61 and 1963.

"This golf course forgives me a lot," said Pak, as she cuddled with a life-sized Pink Panther provided by the tournament sponsor. "Funny, but I have been struggling with my game the last couple of weeks. I haven't been happy with much at all. But as soon as I landed here, for some reason I felt very comfortable."

Wins in 1989, '99, 2001 and '03 give her quite a security blanket.

"She owns this course, doesn't she?" Stupples joked.

Mallon played late in the day and was 6 under through 10 holes before playing the last eight in 1 over after the wind kicked up.

The low rounds by Stupples and Pak forced Mallon to fire at the pins.

"You see them at 6 under or 5 under and you feel like you're under the gun early," Mallon said.

Stupples, never better than a tie for 28th in five previous trips to Highland Meadows Golf Club, shot a 64 in the final round on Sunday at the Women's British Open. She opened eagle-double eagle to pull away.

She celebrated her second career victory - and second win of the year - with family and friends for the next two days.

"I was so tired," she said. "I was so busy the last few days."

Still, Stupples never considered skipping the tournament to spend another week at her home in Dover, England.

"I have some good friends in the area," Stupples said. "I would have felt awful if I had not played."

She felt even better after making a 20-foot birdie putt on the first hole and making the turn in 4 under. Her only mistake came at the 16th, where she missed a 2-footer for par, but bounced back with birdies on the last two holes.

Pak struggled with her driver, but kept pace.

"When I came out today and I saw how Karen was going, I thought Se Ri was saying, 'Not at my tournament!"' Mallon said.

Pak, who finished tied for 21st at the Women's British Open, corrected some swing problems by returning to where she has won so many times.

"The last six years, I've made a lot of birdies out here," she said.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page