Waller in lead after 1st day at state final
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Lauren Waller had one of those rare occurrences in her golf game, four-putting twice in the first round of the PIAA Golf Championships at Heritage Hills Golf Course in York.
Waller, a junior from Canon-McMillan, simply offset those missteps with a round that included six birdies and an eagle on the par-5 18th to finish with a 1-over-par 73 and the first round lead in the girls Class AAA competition.
Waller, fresh from wins in the WPIAL finals and West Region championships, has a one-stroke lead over Jackie Rogowicz of Pennsbury and a two-stroke lead over Isabella Dillsio of Mount Saint Joseph and Erica Herr of Council Rock North.
“I knew I could go low,” said Waller.
Waller is one of seven local golfers competing. Mia Kness of Peters Township (40-45-85) was tied for 13th in girls Class AAA; Gillian Alexander of Jefferson-Morgan (41-43-84) was tied for fifth in girls Class AA; South Fayette’s Corey Long (42-38-80) was tied for 23rd in boys Class AAA; and in boys Class AA Burgettstown’s Owen Miller (37-36-73) was tied for third and teammate Cody Dobbin (44-46-90) was 34th. Charleroi’s Gunnar Riley (40-39-79) was tied for 12th place.
The second round of the two-day event gets under way this morning.
Waller didn’t let the two 4-putts get her down and finished strong with a birdie on No. 18 after sending her second shot to within eight feet and sank the putt.
“I can’t remember ever 4-putting,” said Waller. “I knew it wasn’t the end. I was pleased that I was able to bring myself back up.”
Waller made the turn at even-par 36 and finished the back nine at 1-over.
“I know she can do it,” said C-M head coach Justin White. “She’s got the game. She’ll get back some of the shots she left out there.”
Miller rallied from a bogey, bogey start to make the turn in 1-over 36. A bogey on the 18th cost him third place outright.
Long, the WPIAL Triple-A champion, staggered out of the box with a double-bogey 7 and triple-bogey 7 on the second and third hole, respectively.
Alexander had a double-, triple- and quadruple-bogey for her round and is 12 back of the leader Mackey Fouse of Central Valley,