University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Thomas Lovelock/Augusta National
Bae Third After Opening Round Of Augusta National Women’s Am
March 29, 2023 | Women's Golf
Bulldog ties tournament record with 7 birdies on Wednesday
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AUGUSTA, Ga. — Georgia's Jenny Bae fired a 3-under 69 in Wednesday's opening round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur at Champions Retreat Golf Club. Bae is alone in third place on the leaderboard, three strokes off the pace of Stanford's Rose Zhang.
Bae posted seven birdies during her loop, equaling the ANWA single-round record for birdies at Champions Retreat set by Yuka Yasuda in 2019.
"It feels great," Bae said. "I feel like it's a great start to the three-day tournament, and I'm just going to keep it up. Tomorrow's mindset is going to be the same as today's – just take it hole by hole. Everything else is kind of an external factor, and I just can't control it."
Future Georgia Bulldog Savannah de Bock posted a 6-over 78 in her initial round at the ANWA and is tied for 62nd overall.
Bae had as many birdies than pars on the day, mixing seven birdies with seven pars and four bogeys. She began the day on No. 10 with a bogey but rebounded with birdies at No. 12, No. 14, No. 15 and No. 17 to turn at 3-under. Her front side was a little more eventful, with birdies at No. 3, No. 5 and No. 8 along with bogeys at No. 1, No. 4 and No. 7.
"I had a lot of confidence going into this round," Bae said. "Because I played last year, I knew what to learn from it and practiced the things I knew I needed to work on."
Georgia head coach Josh Brewer is serving as Bae's caddie this week and received high marks for his performance.
"I would prefer Josh having my bag at any time compared to having a local caddie here just because he knows me and my game," Bae said. "I just feel really comfortable with him. Being able to share decisions is key. When it comes to yardage work, I just kind of give it to him. I just follow whatever he tells me to do."
The super senior from Suwanee, Ga., said she did not feel a "home course" advantage but did take note that she was playing in her home state less than two hours from the University of Georgia campus.
"This is as big of a tournament as any one out there," Bae said. "I do feel a good bit of pride playing here, being raised in Georgia and playing for UGA."
While Bae is wrapping up her collegiate career, she is paired with future Bulldog de Bock, the 2022 European Ladies' Amateur Champion, for the the first and second rounds this week.
"We've talked quite a bit," Bae said. "She's super positive, and we really need that with our team. I know that she'll be a great addition."
Bae and de Bock will tee off from No. 1 at 9:55 on Thursday morning. Live scoring will be available via anwagolf.com.
The field will be cut to 30 golfers following the tournament's second round at Champions Retreat on Thursday. The entire field will play at practice round at Augusta National on Friday before Saturday's final round.
The ANWA's second round will be broadcast live on Golf Channel from 1:30-3:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. NBC Sports will produce and broadcast three hours of live final-round coverage at Augusta National from Noon-3 p.m. ET on Saturday. Additionally, Golf Channel's "Live From the Masters" will commence on Friday at Augusta National to provide coverage of the Augusta National Women's Amateur; the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals; and the Masters Tournament.
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Georgia's Jenny Bae fired a 3-under 69 in Wednesday's opening round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur at Champions Retreat Golf Club. Bae is alone in third place on the leaderboard, three strokes off the pace of Stanford's Rose Zhang.
Bae posted seven birdies during her loop, equaling the ANWA single-round record for birdies at Champions Retreat set by Yuka Yasuda in 2019.
"It feels great," Bae said. "I feel like it's a great start to the three-day tournament, and I'm just going to keep it up. Tomorrow's mindset is going to be the same as today's – just take it hole by hole. Everything else is kind of an external factor, and I just can't control it."
Future Georgia Bulldog Savannah de Bock posted a 6-over 78 in her initial round at the ANWA and is tied for 62nd overall.
Bae had as many birdies than pars on the day, mixing seven birdies with seven pars and four bogeys. She began the day on No. 10 with a bogey but rebounded with birdies at No. 12, No. 14, No. 15 and No. 17 to turn at 3-under. Her front side was a little more eventful, with birdies at No. 3, No. 5 and No. 8 along with bogeys at No. 1, No. 4 and No. 7.
"I had a lot of confidence going into this round," Bae said. "Because I played last year, I knew what to learn from it and practiced the things I knew I needed to work on."
Georgia head coach Josh Brewer is serving as Bae's caddie this week and received high marks for his performance.
"I would prefer Josh having my bag at any time compared to having a local caddie here just because he knows me and my game," Bae said. "I just feel really comfortable with him. Being able to share decisions is key. When it comes to yardage work, I just kind of give it to him. I just follow whatever he tells me to do."
The super senior from Suwanee, Ga., said she did not feel a "home course" advantage but did take note that she was playing in her home state less than two hours from the University of Georgia campus.
"This is as big of a tournament as any one out there," Bae said. "I do feel a good bit of pride playing here, being raised in Georgia and playing for UGA."
While Bae is wrapping up her collegiate career, she is paired with future Bulldog de Bock, the 2022 European Ladies' Amateur Champion, for the the first and second rounds this week.
"We've talked quite a bit," Bae said. "She's super positive, and we really need that with our team. I know that she'll be a great addition."
Bae and de Bock will tee off from No. 1 at 9:55 on Thursday morning. Live scoring will be available via anwagolf.com.
The field will be cut to 30 golfers following the tournament's second round at Champions Retreat on Thursday. The entire field will play at practice round at Augusta National on Friday before Saturday's final round.
The ANWA's second round will be broadcast live on Golf Channel from 1:30-3:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. NBC Sports will produce and broadcast three hours of live final-round coverage at Augusta National from Noon-3 p.m. ET on Saturday. Additionally, Golf Channel's "Live From the Masters" will commence on Friday at Augusta National to provide coverage of the Augusta National Women's Amateur; the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals; and the Masters Tournament.
Players Mentioned
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