July 3, 2003

NORTH PLAINS, OR. - On Thursday in the first round of the 58th U.S. Women's Open in North Plains, Ore., four Blue Devils turned in a score of 75 and are tied 55th individually. Current Duke team members Liz Janangelo and Leigh Anne Hardin as well as former Blue Devils Beth Bauer and Candy Hannemann each finished four-over-par on the day at the Par 71, 6,550-yard Pumpkin Ridge Golf Course.

Hannemann, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was one-under-par through 14 holes before suffering three bogies and a double-bogey on the final four holes to finish with the 75. Janangelo made the turn with a 37 and then came back with a 38 on the back. The West Hartford, Conn., product had two birdies on the day. Hardin, a native of Martinsville, Ind., made the turn with a 39, but came back with an even par front nine with a 36. Both Hardin and Janangelo are tied for the sixth lowest amateurs in the field.

The 2002 LPGA Rolex Rookie of the Year, Bauer, was the only Blue Devil to start the day on the No. 1 tee box and made the turn four-over-par before firing an even-par 35 to finish off the day.

Senior Virada Nirapathpongporn finished the day with a 78 after making the turn with a 38. The Bangkok, Thailand product is tied 102nd individually. Jean Bartholomew posted a round of 78 and is tied for 119th.

Leading the pack is McKAY, Mhairi who turned in a five-under-par round of 66 on Thursday. Only nine players fired under-par rounds on day one.

The championship is conducted at stroke play over 72 holes with 18 holes each day and a total of 156 players are in the field. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the lowest 60 scorers and anyone tying for 60th place or within 10 strokes of the leader. The final two rounds will be played on Saturday and Sunday.

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