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Sunday 5th June 2011
You will have gathered by now that I always manage to have an eventful
time whenever I am on tour - this last week was no exception!
Today I made my first top ten finish in the LPGA Futures Tour Ladies
Titan Tire Challenge at the 6445 yard Par 72 Hunter's Ridge Golf
Course in Iowa. The field was made up of 140 professionals from
around the globe and I finished in a tie for 8th position. So at
this moment I am a very happy girl!
During the event the weather conditions were testing, to say the
least, as strong winds and rain delays were the pattern for the
weekend and I was really pleased with how my game held up.
The lead up to the event was a marathon for me as I began the week
with a 23 hour car journey from Sarasota to Iowa with my friend
and fellow player Jodie Ewart. I just managed to walk the Hunter's
Ridge course before catching a flight to play in a 36 hole Pro-Am
in Atlantic City for Play Golf Designs.
As you can imagine, I was slightly concerned when my clubs were
'mislaid' during flight but thankfully they did arrive in time for
the first event. As soon as the Pro-Am finished I then caught a
flight back to Iowa ready for my tee time the following morning
of 11.00am. The first part of the marathon was complete.
However I started to wonder whether the laws of aviation were conspiring
against me when once again my golf clubs didn't arrive safely with
me in Iowa and I had a tense few hour wait to see whether I would
in fact have any clubs to play with - thankfully they did arrive
just in time to play in the Ladies Titan Tire Challenge and the
rest, as they say, is history. What a week!
By the time you read this I will probably be in Mason, Ohio preparing
for the LPGA Futures Tour Teva Championship which runs from June
10th - June 12th.
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Kathleen Ekey (Sharon Township, Ohio) 67-71-77 - 215 (-1)
Jean Chua (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) 72-72-72 - 216 (E)
Carling Coffing (Middletown, Ohio) 74-69-73 - 216 (E)
Dawn Shockley (Estes Park, Colo.) 74-75-68 - 217 (+1)
Ayaka Kaneko (Honolulu, Hawaii) 77-73-67 - 217 (+1)
Mo Martin (Altadena, Calif.) 71-75-72 - 218 (+2)
Jane Rah (Torrance, Calif.) 75-68-75 - 218 (+2)
Veronica Felibert (Caracas, Venezuela) 76-72-71 - 219 (+3)
Rachel Connor (Manchester, England) 76-71-72 - 219 (+3)
Natalie Sheary (West Hartford, Conn.) 73-74-72 - 219 (+3)
Sofie Andersson (Angelholm, Sweden) 72-75-72 - 219 (+3)
Izzy Beisiegel (St. Hilaire, Quebec) 75-72-72 - 219 (+3)
Tanya Dergal (Durango, Mexico) 76-71-72 - 219 (+3)
Marcela Leon (Monterrey, Mexico) 74-72-73 - 219 (+3)
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1Maria HJORT Falun, Sweden 69-72-65--206 -10
2 Rachel CONNOR Manchester, England 71-66-69--206
-10
3 Nicole HAGE Coral Springs, Fl 71-67-69--207 -9
4 Dori CARTER Valdosta, GA 73-68-67--208 -8
5 Kristen SIMPSON Norfolk, VA 72-68-68--208 -8
6 a-AJ Newell Tampa, FL 71-71-68--210 -6
7 Lorie KANE Charlottetown, PEI CAN 68-71-71--210
-6
8 Whitney NEUHAUSER Charlottesville, VA 67-72-72--211
-5
9 Alexandra CASI East Palestine, OH 73-70-70--213
-3
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Thursday 12th May 2011
Well that was an interesting week! This week I have been playing
in the Suncoast Series event at Stoneybrook East in Orlando, Florida.
The week began well with a steady practice round and I was eagerly
anticipating the arrival of my dad from the UK who was travelling
over to caddy for me in the Suncoast event and the qualifier for
the US Open which is held next week.
I was pleased to see that I was playing with Maria Hjort who is
currently lying 6th on the LPGA money list - I've played with Maria
before, enjoy her company and like to pitch myself against such
a great player.
My first round of one under par 71 was steady and I was lying in
4th place after the first day. Dad was pleased with my game so I
was feeling good and ready for round two. During the night, however,
my dad started to feel really ill and we realised that the temperature
(which was in excess of 90 degrees) had taken its toll on him. Man
down - but on this occasion even more importantly caddy down!
In the second round I shot 6 under par 66 which took me into a
slim lead for the tournament going into the final round. Unfortunately
my dad still wasn't up to facing the heat and so I headed off to
the golf course on my own having administered copious amounts of
Gatorade, paracetamol and TLC.
In the final round I played with Maria again and also with another
LPGA player Lori Kane. Maria had a fantastic round of 65 and I shot
69 and so when we came in off the course we were tied for the lead
on 10 under par.
It was time to go down the first extra hole and play my first playoff
as a professional - the atmosphere was fantastic. Maria showed her
experience and continued on her fine form of the day by making birdie
to my par and I was gutted not to win but then I know that this
is just part of the journey - you have to learn to lose well in
order to be able to win well!
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Saturday 2nd April 2011
Well I am as happy as a girl can be! Just a couple
of days ago I won my first professional event on the Suncoast Tour
and it feels great!
The Suncoast Series event was held at Mission Inn
Resort, El Campeon a 6,300 yard Par 73 course near Mount Dora, Orlando,
Florida.
After 18 holes of the 56 hole event I held a slim
lead of just one. My one under par first round was frustrating as
it included three, three putts from 10 foot but the greens were
hard, fast and very tricky so I decided not to beat myself up about
it.
Day 2 and the second 18 holes brought with it horrendous
weather conditions, it was blowing a gale and I was first out. Grinding
out the best score possible was the order of the day and yet I was
disappointed with my three over par round, that was until I saw
the scoreboard later in the day and saw that not only was I still
at the top but that I had increased my lead to two.
The weather conditions continued to worsen as Orlando
went on tornado watch and the hotel that I was staying in took a
battering during the night. The noise was horrendous, pretty scary
really and so I didn't catch much sleep. When my alarm went off
I was relieved that it was morning but a glimpse outside and the
darkness that surrounded the hotel made me wonder whether any golf
was going to be played that day at all.
My guess was right because when I called the Series
Director, Scott he told me that play for the day had been abandoned
and that as a result I was the Suncoast Series winner. Hurray!
To say that I am delighted is an understatement
I have worked so hard during the off season that I know that I deserve
to have a good year. Three top ten finishes at the start of 2011
means that I am definitely heading in the right direction.
I have a lot of people to thank for helping me to
get to this first win - the coaches at IMG Academy for their expertise
and support - my sponsors back in the UK Aerotech Designs, Mike,
Phil and Graham for their financial support and encouragement and
of course my family and friends. A heartfelt 'Thank You' to you
all.
My plan for the future is to continue to get 'Better
Every Day' and to keep heading towards the ultimate goal of playing
on the LPGA Tour. This first win may just have got me to base camp
- now I'm ready to start the climb up the mountain! Yippee!
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Result
FEBRUARY 1-3, 2011 RED TAIL GC
1 Moira DUNN Utica, NY 67-68-71--206 -10 $2,000.00
2 Maria HJORT Falun, Sweden 73-64-69--206 -10 $1,000.00
3 M.J. HUR South Korea 73-68-67--208 -8 $700.00
4 Haeji KANG Seoul, South Korea 71-70-68--209 -7 $600.00
5 Naon MIN South Korea 72-69-70--211 -5 $337.50
Stephanie SHERLOCK Barrie, Ontario CAN 68-75-68--211
-5 $337.50
Sarah BROWN Lopatcong Twp, NJ 70-70-71--211 -5
$337.50
Miriam NAGL Berlin, Germany 73-68-70--211 -5 $337.50
9 Jessica KORDA Bradenton, Fl 71-69-73--213 -3
10 Rachel CONNOR Manchester, England 71-73-70--214 -2
11 Allison FOUCH Grand Rapids, MI 74-75-69--218 +2
Jodi EWART North Yorkshire, England 75-73-70--218
+2
Laura NOCHTA Cortland, OH 73-73-72--218 +2
14 Kris TAMULIS Naples, FL 73-74-72--219 +3
15 Song Yi CHOI Seoul, South Korea 73-73-74--220 +4
16 Yun Joo JEONG South Korea 73-75-73--221 +5
17 Stephanie CONNELLY Pasadena, MD 76-73-73--222 +6
18 Kelly FROELICH Raizeux, France 77-74-74--225 +9
19 a-Shannon Aubert Champions Gate, FL 78-76-78--232 +16
20 Briana VEGA Andover, MA 77-78-78--233 +17
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Result
JANUARY 24-26, 2011 WEST ORANGE CC
1 Laura DIAZ Fernandina Beach, FL 70-70-68--208
-5 $2,000.00
2 Maria HJORT Falun, Sweden 71-68-70--209 -4 $1,000.00
3 Paige MACKENZIE Scottsdale, AZ 68-73-72--213 Even $700.00
4 Rachel CONNOR Manchester, England 74-71-69--214 +1 $600.00
5 Naon MIN South Korea 74-71-70--215 +2 $512.50
Lorie KANE Charlottetown, PEI CAN 73-71-71--215
+2 $512.50
7 Jessica KORDA Bradenton, Fl 73-77-66--216 +3 $200.00
Jodi EWART North Yorkshire, England 71-73-72--216
+3 $200.00
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Saturday 5th February 2011
My feet have barely touched the ground in the last nine days! First
of all I spent three days at the PGA Trade Show in Orlando, I was
representing the Golf Belles there and we had a fantastic time promoting
women's golf at the show. Here I am trying out some of the latest
products on the indoor range.
From there I headed over to Mount Dora for the next event on the
Suncoast Series - once again it was a great field and I played some
steady golf finishing 3 under par for the three days. The winner
made 10 under par so I would have had to make a few scores to catch
her - the good thing is that I know that I left a few shots out
on the golf course.
It's time for me to get back to IMG Academy and work out my strategy
for the next few weeks - I may be making an unscheduled trip back
to Manchester and if this is the case I'm looking forward to seeing
everyone back home. x Chill x
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Thursday 27th January 2011
Since my last journal entry in November I have been steadily working
my way back to full fitness. The process has been closely scrutinised
by Trevor Anderson the head of IPI (International Performance Institute)
at IMG Academies and I have TA to thank for holding me back long
enough to let the injuries from the car accident heal before going
head long into full training.
My brother Scott came out to visit me just after Christmas and
he spent some time with me working out at the Academy. He described
his time there as 'One of the best experiences of his life.' He
worked out with TA on a number of occasions and was inspired by
the man and the Combine 360 methods used by TA and the coaches at
the Institute.
Everyone will be pleased to hear that I am virtually back to full
fitness and ready to take on the season ahead with renewed vigour.
And so ... over the last few days I have been playing in the Suncoast
Series at West Orange Country Club in Orlando, Florida.The Suncoast
Series is played all over the Orlando area and attracts players
from a variety of tours. This was a class field including LPGA players
Laura, Diaz, Maria Hjort, Lorie Kane and Paige Mackenzie so I knew
that this pre-season warm up wasn't going to be a walk in the park!
My first day began badly with 3 over par and I made bogey on the
last three holes so I left the course feeling very frustrated. Day
2 brought a slightly better round of level par 71 and I moved into
a tie for 8th place.
With a tornado threatening to hit our location on Day 3 we all
thought that the tournament would not be completed but after a delay
of an hour or so we were all called to the course to play. Despite
40 mph wind I managed to pull out a 2 under par 69 over the last
18 holes which moved me up into 4th place.
I am delighted with this start to the year - it was good to get
back on the golf course and start to compete again. I didn't realise
just how much I would miss competitive golf. My coach Gary was also
pleased with the result - we're both looking forward to making 2011
a year to remember!
 Scott
and me hit the Course
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Coach TA, Scott and me in the International
Performance Institute prior to a workout
THE SUNCOAST SERIES WEST ORANGE COUNTY
Wednesday 26th January 2011
1 Laura DIAZ Fernandina Beach, FL
70-70-68--208 -5
2 Maria HJORT Falun, Sweden 71-68-70--209
-4
3 Paige MACKENZIE Scottsdale, AZ
68-73-72--213 Even
4 Rachel CONNOR Manchester, England
74-71-69--214 +1
5 Naon MIN South Korea 74-71-70--215
+2
Lorie KANE Charlottetown, PEI CAN
73-71-71--215 +2
7 Jessica KORDA Bradenton, Fl 73-77-66--216
+3
Jodi EWART North Yorkshire, England
71-73-72--216 +3
Dori CARTER Valdosta, GA 73-73-73--219
+6
Laura NOCHTA Cortland, OH 71-74-74--219
+6
Ashley MEDDERS Alma, GA 74-71-74--219
+6
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| Saturday 20th November 2010
The book that I am reading at the moment is called
'Peaks and Valleys' by Spencer Johnson. The title pretty much explains
the last two weeks of my life.
After a great week at Ridgewood Lakes I headed back
to IMG Academy to train and get ready for returning to Q school
the following week, I already had status for the LPGA Futures Tour
for 2011 but I wanted to go back to Q school to better that status.
After my performance at Ridgewood I felt really confident.
I was staying with one of my house families that
I stayed with earlier in the year Joe and Karen, I felt like I was
right back at home they always make me feel so welcome.
Sadly the confidence that I felt going into Q school
did not come out on the golf course where 3 holes out of the 54
holes cost me dearly. My golf did not reflect the hard work that
I have been putting in - I talked to my coach Gary about this and
in his usual relaxed style said that it was just a bad week to play
bad.
After finishing my final round I left my private
housing, still disappointed from the week and headed off to pick
up my friend Natasha and head back to Bradenton. The next thing
that I remember is hearing a loud thud, my car flipping and being
trapped in my car, I was in a serious car crash...
As I was pulled out off the car the first words
I heard were, 'Girl God was on your side today.'
I still don't know exactly what happened to cause
the accident.
My Mum immediately packed a bag and flew over from
England, but during the 32 hours that it took for her to get here
my close friends Natasha Krishna and Jodi Ewart looked after me
and my good friend Abhishek from IMG Academy drove two hours to
come and get me and take me back to Bradenton. I am blessed to have
these amazing people around me.
Over the next few days I had 5 Cat scans and 5 Xrays
on my head, neck, shoulders, knees, pelvis & lower back. Other
than for some horrific bruising the results showed that I have a
bulging disc in my lower back and a bruised/broken rib.
This whole experience has really made me see how
life can change so suddenly in a split second. I am lucky to have
escaped with such minor injuries.
I am recovering well and my bruising is reducing
by the day. I am finding it difficult to hit full shots at the moment
but I hope to get back to training and practising asap as I am craving
to get back out there and get back to doing what I do best...golf.
Thank you everyone for your kind messages they have
really kept me smiling.
Best Regards
Chill Rachel Connor
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Tuesday 12th October 2010
It has taken me a while to get back to my journal as I have had
a number of decisions to make about the next 12 months. Since the
start of the year until my last event in September my feet didn't
seem to touch the ground but I know now that if I am to make it
as a professional I have to keep one goal in my mind and that is
L. P. G. A.
As you know I had been wondering whether a return to Europe might
make life a little easier for me on tour. I discussed the options
with my coaches, mentors and family and we all came to the same
conclusion .... the hard bit was moving out to America, making new
friends and finding my way around America whilst I was on Tour ....
why having made this move would I then move back to Europe?
So the decision is made ..... I will remain in America for another
season .... continue to work with my fantastic team at IMG Academy
and continue on my road to the LPGA.
So, I have had a fun filled last couple weeks. To get the ball
rolling with my putting, so to speak, I went to the Taylor Made
Kingdom in Carlsbad LA to be tested on the MATT system there. The
Matt system reads every degree, angle etc of your putting stroke,
it is UNBELIEVABLE what they can do and I would recommend this service
to anyone who might be considering it.
Just one of many stunning scenes in LA
On my return to Bradenton and to the IMG Academy I got straight
back into my training regime. From 7.30am until 6pm everyday I am
determined to leave nothing to chance this year. My game is feeling
good and I feel I am getting better every day in some way.
I have been taking the opportunity that the off season presents
to catch up on some reading. Bob Rotella’s Book, ‘Putting
Out Off Your Mind’ is a must read, it has given me a completely
new perspective on putting. I am now reading another of his books
‘Golf isn’t a game of perfect’.
I have also been brushing up on my sports psychology working with
a psychologist from back home in England called Dr Karl Morris,
in the last few years he has worked alongside Graham McDowell winner
of the US Open & Louis Oosthuizen who won the British pretty
impressive credentials right? I listen to Karl’s tapes every
night when I go to bed and I’m finding them a massive help.
If you’re interested in learning more about Karl’s work
you can Google him.
I’m so lucky to have such an awesome team around me.
Last but definitely not least I’ve taken part in a number
of Pro-Am/Charity events over the last few weeks - one for ACES
for Literacy, another with the Chamber of Commerce of Lake Wales
and also the Boys & Girls Club of Volusia County. These are
always fun events because they are for a great cause and the guys
are always a great laugh. It’s always fun to see their faces
when you stick it closer than them on the green :)
Until Next Time :)
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Taylor Made Kingdom .. a great experience
With my stroke the system showed that I was setting up slightly
on the right lip of the hole and then leaving the face open at impact,
so they fitted me for a putter that will help me with these anomalies,
it is the Taylor Made Rossa centre shaft and I love it. Taylor Made
also sent me a back up putter - the new Ghost, it is so cute and
it’s white :) so cool!
While I was there they also checked my specs on my irons and woods
to make sure everything was still fitting okay, my irons were still
perfect. I picked up a new 3 and 5 wood and a couple of new rescues
and my latest secret weapon - the new Supertri driver.
While I was in the LA area I got some time to ‘chill’
out and visit one of my BFF's Leanne Bowditch who also plays on
the Futures Tour. It was so nice to see her as we hadn't seen each
other for over 2 weeks which was the longest time we have been apart
all year! I’ve made some great friends on Tour.
My friend Derrick Caracter signed for the Lakers this year and
he was in town too so I took the opportunity to catch up with him
whilst I was in LA. I don't really understand basketball that well
but damn those guys are working hard for there 3peat this year so
I am going to be watching their progress throughout the season.
I was also really lucky to meet up with a friend from the UK who
is staying in San Diego. I hadn’t seen Parris for sometime
but it was fun to be around someone who shares my off the wall english
humour, we laughed constantly. I fell in love with LA I did lots
of sight seeing and found my new obsession, sushi :) I will no doubt
be heading back there soon it is such a beautiful place as you can
see from this picture.
Playing in Pro-Ams is always fun.
I love my clothing range which is from Tail Activewear,
it's great to wear both on and off the course!
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| Thursday 19th August 2010
Hello everyone and welcome back to my journal page.
It has been a few weeks since I posted on my blog
because I've literally had back to back tournaments on the Futures
Tour and it has been very hectic. I hope that you have been able
to follow my progress via the Futures Tour website in the meantime.
At present I am back home in Bradenton as my Mum and little brother
have come out here to visit me - I've been working out and training
at the IMG Academy in preparation for my final tournament the Price
Chopper Tour Championship which will be held in Albany, New York.
During this last week I have had an opportunity
to discuss my future plans with Coach Gary and I will be posting
these following the final tournament in Albany. Do I stay and play
the Futures Tour in 2011 or do I play the European Tour? That is
the question!
Thanks for following x Chill x
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Thursday 24th June 2010
BY MIKE HUTTON MHUTTON@POST-TRIB.COM, BLOGS.POST-TRIB.COM/HUTTON
I could imagine being as good as Rachel Connor or
Leanne Bowditch or Carling Coffing.
Sure, it's a dream. But it's possible for me to
get there. If I quit my job, left my wife and family and devoted
myself full time to golf for the next couple of years, maybe I could
do it.
This is what makes playing with Futures players
so real, and even fun.
I can't ever imagine being Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson
or Ernie Els. They play a different game in a different stratosphere
-- one that I can only marvel at and try to understand in a wistful
way.
The difference for me between the men and women
professional golfers is about length. I have an inferiority complex
about my lack of it. Mickelson averages around 300 yards per drive.
Connor hits it 260.
I'm obsessed with distance. I can drive the ball
250 yards if I hit it in the center of my Ping G5 driver with every
moving part in harmonious rhythm. This is not long by today's standards
-- even in my normal weekend game.
On No. 12 at Lost Marsh, a 475-yard par 5, I had
200 left after absolutely crushing a drive. It was a wind-aided
blow. Connor, with a swing that was molded in England at the IMG
Golf Academy (think David Leadbetter and think Woods' marketing
agency), makes hitting it farther than me look so effortless, so
easy, that it makes me queasy to think about it. Her ball soars
through the air like a bird drifting gracefully forward to its next
destination. Me? I'm tripping all over myself to stay upright after
I have hurled the club through the ball.
The difference between Connor and myself, aside
from the 10 yards off the tee, is everything that comes after the
tee shot. She knocks her baby hybrid on the top shelf of the elevated
green for a chance at eagle. I block a 5-wood left, chunk a chip
and then three-putt for bogey.
I can say this, though. I'm almost, but not quite,
as long as her. She is a club, maybe two longer than me. For some
strange reason, this makes me feel good. I can definitely relate
to that.
One time, when the group in front of us is dawdling
a bit, Bowditch whistles a drive that lands just close enough for
them to notice. "Good, get on their butt," Coffing said.
I like this, too. Makes me feel like I'm playing
on my course with guys I know, where slow play is a cardinal sin.
The other big difference between Connor and me is
that she shot a course-record 61 last week in Decatur, Ill. I've
shot 61 plenty of times -- over nine holes. Connor slid backward
in the final three rounds, failing to make birdie for the next 47
holes before settling for an 18th-place finish and a check for $1,118.
The setup for her turned out to be mundane. She ranks 86th on the
money list.
"It was boring," she said. "Fairways
and greens and then try to make a putt."
Sounds like a confidence booster to me. She is only
19, three years removed from graduating from high school in England
and nine serious years into her chosen profession. When I was 19,
I was just hoping to get out of bed in time to make my 8 a.m. Western
Civilization class.
Connor moved over here from Manchester, England,
to give it a go. Her brother and her father are both teaching professionals
back in the U.K. She is trying to break that mold by becoming a
playing professional on the LPGA Tour.
Both her and Bowditch qualified for the Futures
Tour in the November qualifying school.
Neither has seen Lost Marsh, meaning they spend
plenty of time marking yardages and surveying angles to the green
and checking the breaks on various putts. Practice gets more serious
each successive day. This is just a warm-up for them for what will
be a long week.
On the last hole, a brutal 425-yard par 4 into the
wind, Connor smokes a drive that gives her 180 yards in. If she's
leading by a shot on Sunday, it's a money drive. I catch one thin
and have more than 200 in. No chance for me to get to the green
with my 3-wood, which just balloons when I try to hit it hard. I
contemplate a driver off the deck but I decide against it. I pull
my shot 30 yards right of the green and about 60 yards short. Connor
is on the front after a perfect hybrid. She makes par easily if
this were a real round.
The back nine has been a complete struggle for me
after pulling off some reasonably good shots on the front nine.
Drives are going left and right. I can't get the speed of the greens
down. I misclub myself several times in the blustery wind.
They don't succumb to the heat and the wind and
the mental fatigue that just make me want to go home and curl up
in bed.
This is where I lose -- and they win -- every time.
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Posted Monday 21st June 2010 - On my way to Chicago en route to
Indiana
Following a great first round of nine under par 61 in the Tate
& Lyle Player's Championship was always going to be difficult!
I had 10 birdies in that opening round but round 2, 3 and 4 were
totally different when I actually had a drought of 45 holes without
a birdie which was very frustrating! The difference was that my
putts just didn't want to drop.
Setting a record 61 which matched Lorena Ochoa's record breaking
round on this same course a few years ago gave me a real boost and
the media attention was incredible.
I finished the tournament at 4 under par and with a tie for 18th
position which was again very frustrating! Nevertheless I have to
take some huge positives from this tournament - I now share a record
with Lorena Ochoa which is awesome, I know that I can shoot very
low which is great and I know now that I just have to keep reaching
up to that next level and I know that I have it in me to do this!
Thanks to everyone back at home for the messages of congratulations
on my 61 it's good to know that you are all watching my progress
with interest!
I've posted this interview that was taken after my first round
61 - you know it is so difficult to hang onto my Manchester accent
over here! Click on the video to play it. If you don't have the
facility to play directly from here Click
Here to go to the link.
My next event is the City of Hammond Classic from June 25 - 27,
2010
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Posted Saturday 18th June 2010
- Direct from the Duramed Futures Tour website
That storm was
rookie Rachel Connor, who recorded nine-hole scores of 29-32 to
tie the tournament's nine-hole record of 29, set by former LPGA
superstar Lorena Ochoa (in 2002) and retired LPGA and Duramed FUTURES
Tour veteran Marilyn Lovander (in 1990). The nine-hole records all
were recorded when the course was played as a par 70, due to flooding.
Connor's 18-hole
total also shattered the previous record of 7-under 65, shared by
four players, including current LPGA Tour members Lindsey Wright
(2004) and Jean Reynolds (2009).
"I really
wanted to break 60," said Connor, 19, better known as "Chill"
to her friends and family. "If my family is still awake [back
home in England], they're going to think the Tour's real-time scoring
is wrong when they look at my score."
But Connor's
score was anything but wrong. The lively Manchester native posted
10 birdies, one bogey, hit 15 greens and needed only 24 putts for
her career-low round today. Her previous low round was 67, which
left the David Leadbetter Academy student nearly giddy with excitement.
"I've been
having a tough time with my game, missing the cut in the last two
tournaments, so my coach told me to go for everything," she
said. "That's what I did today. I wanted to see what I could
do if I went for every pin."
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Interviews after Day 1 for TV and radio
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Posted Sunday 16th May
As I write I am on my way back to America to Kentucky to play in
the Backpacks for Kids charity event that is being held at Valhalla
Golf Club (Ryder Cup venue) tomorrow. By the time I reach Kentucky
I will have made three different flights, stayed in one, one star
hotel in New York and then rather strangely be picked up in Kentucky
by a limousine!
After this event I will fly back to Bradenton and the IMG Academy
to prepare for the Ladies US Open.
Here I am pictured with my brother Scott at 5.00am last Friday.
I'm really proud to say that my brother completed the 72 Hole Challenge
for Link4Pink and in the process raised upwards of £650. He
was exhausted, slightly tipsy but very happy! Well done Scott!
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Posted Monday 2nd May
On my way home!
Texas Hill Country Classic
San Antonio, Texas
What a week! As I write I am just beginning my journey
home from San Antonio Texas to Manchester UK. I'm heading back home
for a week or so to catch up with my family and friends back home!
I played this week on the beautiful course at Texas
Hill Country Club this really was a stunning location but unfortunately
I was ravaged by mosquito bites during my practice round. The consequence
was that I started to feel unwell during the event and I missed
the cut by a shot. No excuses - this sort of thing can happen on
Tour so it's onwards and upwards to my next tournament. A huge thank
you to my host family this week having a doctor in the house made
all the difference!
My next event will be back in the UK when I will
be playing with my brother Scott in the 72 Hole Challenge in aid
of Link 4 Pink. This is a charity which is raising funds towards
a new extension to the fantastic facilities that are at Christies
Hospital in South Manchester. This will be located in Oldham Hospital
which incidentally is the hospital where I was born.
The event will be held at Crompton & Royton
Golf Club on Friday 14th May and I will be teeing off at approximately
5.30am. It would be great to see some of my old friends, so if you're
free come and see us at the turn.
If you would like to sponsor Scott for this event
you can click here to
email me and I will pass the details on to Scott.
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I thought that you might like to see my funky new
Titleist wedges engraved with my nickname - how cool are these babies?
I owe a big Thank You to Ann Cain of Titleist for
sorting these out for me!
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1 Sophie Jang (Seoul, South Korea) 70-68-71
- 209
T2 Pornanong Phatlum (Chaiyaphum, Thailand)
68-73-69 - 210
Angela Oh (Maple Shade, N.J.) 69-70-71 - 210
T4 Nontaya Srisawang (Chiang Mai, Thailand) 73-70-68 - 211
Sarah-Jane Smith (Queensland, Australia) 72-71-68 - 211
Miriam Nagl (Berlin, Germany) 72-69-70 - 211
Mo Martin (Altadena, Calif.) 68-69-74 - 211
Kitty Hwang (Guayaquil, Ecuador) 70-67-74 - 211
T9 Alison Walshe (Westford, Mass.) 73-71-68 - 212
Cindy LaCrosse (Tampa, Fla.) 72-72-68 - 212
Ashley Prange (Noblesville, Ind.) 70-73-69 - 212
Liz Janangelo (West Hartford, Conn.) 69-72-71 - 212
Christine Song (Fullerton, Calif.) 70-71-71 - 212
Ryann O'Toole (San Clemente, Calif.) 71-70-71 - 212
T15 Marlowe Boukis (Lutherville, Md.) 72-74-67 - 213
Chelsea Curtis (New Seabury, Mass.) 71-72-70 - 213
Briana Vega (Andover, Mass.) 68-74-71 - 213
Rachel Connor (Manchester, England) 73-69-71 - 213
Esther Choe (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 72-69-72 - 213
Hannah Yun (Bradenton, Fla.) 72-69-72 - 213
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Posted Monday 26th April
Historic Brownsville Open
Rancho Viejo, Texas
The week began last Monday with a 20 hour journey from Tampa Airport
to San Antonio Texas which included three separate internal flights.
By the time I reached Texas with my travelling partner Leanne Bowditch
(from Australia) we were exhausted but there was no time to think
about tiredness as our first practice round was due on Tuesday.
My first round was a fairly steady 2 over par 73 which put me in
contention to qualify out of the field of 144 players but not to
challenge. Nevertheless, I was scoring plenty of birdies so I knew
that if I could just minimise the number of bogies that I was having
I would score much better.
In the second round I managed to do just that, and finished with
a neat 2 under par to go into the final round at even par and with
a tie for 14th place.
Once again my final round was a bit of a battle but I was determined
not to run out of steam. Here I am pictured with the final round
scoreboard and as you can see I finished on level par following
a final round of 71 which gave me a tie for 15th place.
It felt great to be in contention this week and I'm really pleased
that I am starting to show the sort of form that took me to the
top of the amateur game back in the UK. The standard of golf over
here is very high and everyone on the Futures Tour is capable of
shooting very low scores but I feel as though I am learning something
new every tournament that passes by.
By the way, I now have a clothing contract with a company called
Tail Activewear who specialise in golf and tennis wear, it's a fantastic
range of clothing that suits my style and personality to a tee!
Take a look at their website by clicking on their link below.
My next event is April 30 - May 2 The Texas Hill Country Classic
in
San Antonio, Texas.
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| Finally ..... I just want to say a big
thank you to my host family this week THE COSTA FAMILY you made my
first trip to Texas very special! THANK YOU xxx |
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Posted Monday 12th April
Daytona Beach Invitational
LPGA International, Daytona Beach, Fla.
I had a great week at the Daytona Beach Invitational. As a member
of the Duramed Futures Tour Player Promo Team I have decided to
commit myself to everything that the Tour asks me to do, so that
may mean, one week giving coaching sessions to young golfers and
the next taking part in a photo shoot to promote the Tour. No two
weeks will be the same, it gives me the oppotunity to get to know
more of the tour players and I have a chance to give something back
to the game and the Tour too.
When I arrived in Daytona I was informed that I had been chosen
along with a few other players to attend the Daytona Cubs Baseball
Game but not only that, I was going to be making the first pitch
of the game! Here I am at the game warming up - you will be pleased
to hear that my aim was on target!
I also took part in a photo shoot which was great fun - I've posted
a couple of the images below for you to see.
My first round of 2 over par 74 left me some work to do to make
the cut but my second round of 2 under par 70, which included an
eagle on the last hole secured my place to play on the final day.
I was beginning to feel that my game was coming into shape but
my final round didn't quite go to plan and I posted a miserable
78 to finish the tournament at 6 over par.
Nevertheless, I do feel that my game is back on track - my putting
was much better this week. Last night I drove back home to Bradenton
and today I will be heading back to the IMG Academy and my coaches
Gary and Larry to prepare for my next two events in Texas.
April 23 - 25 Historic Brownsville Open
Rancho Viejo, Texas
April 30 - May 2 Texas Hill Country Classic
San Antonio, Texas
On May 3rd I will then be flying back to the UK to spend a little
time with my family and friends - I hope to catch up with everyone
who follows my progress during that time. Whilst I'm at home I will
be playing in the 72 Hole Charity Challenge on May 14th at Crompton
& Royton Golf Club with my brother Scott in aid of Dr Kershaw's
Hospice, Link 4 Pink and the Skin Deep Foundation - so watch this
space for more information.
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Posted Monday 29th March
The Riviera Nayarit Challenge Mexico
When I arrived in Mexico the weather was fantastic and forecast
to be good throughout the week, so I was looking forward to getting
out on the course and playing some great golf. Unfortunately things
didn't quite go to plan.
During my first round once again my putting stroke escaped me and
I carded 38 putts to bring in a poor opening round of 81. My second
round was only one shot better and so I missed the cut.
My long game has been out of this world so it's really frustrating
to be struggling with my putting, nevertheless, I'll be back at
the IMG Academy on Tuesday and I know that one of the coaches there
will be able to help put me back on track and I will come out fighting
and ready for the next event.
April 9 - 11 The Daytona Beach Invitational
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Happy Easter to everyone back at home!
Chill
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Posted Monday 22nd March
As I write, I am sat in the lounge at Tampa Airport
awaiting my flight to Atlanta - it's 3.24 am!
I'm flying to Atlanta where I will pick up my connecting
flight to Mexico and my next event on the Duramed Futures Tour,
The Riviera Nayarit Challenge which runs from March 26 - 28
This event will be held at The Riviera Nayarit Country Club, Nuevo
Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico.
Less than 24 hours ago I was playing at the rain
drenched Lake Region Golf Club in Winter Haven trying to complete
my final round and make some impression on the leaderboard in my
first Duramed event The Florida's Natural Charity Classic.
This was a three day, 54 hole event. The first day
was an absolute nightmare, I struck the ball well from tee to green
but then I just couldn't make a putt - even missing 2 three footers
for par! I came off the golf course with a dismal five over par
77 and went straight to the putting green to see if I could sort
my putting stroke out. I finished Day 1 in position 97 on the scoreboard
and things were not looking too good.
On Day 2 once again my long game was fantastic,
I should have scored much better but for, you got it, my putting!
Nevertheless, my score was a little better with a one over par 73
and I started to feel that just maybe I could scrape into the 36
hole cut. Four nail biting hours later when the last few players
arrived in off the course, I finally learned that I had JUST made
the cut at 69th place out of a possible 70 qualifying places - that
was tight! Phew!
Day 3 brought with it absolutely horrendous weather
conditions and after some play on the golf course in the morning
the Futures Tour officials finally made the decision to abandon
play and award placings based on the 36 holes already played.
My first experience of playing on the Duramed Futures
Tour has been very positive. No I didn't score as well as I wanted
to, my short game let me down - probably brought on by a few unharnessed
nerves. Nevertheless, I played some really solid golf and I did
make the cut which is always a good sign.
Now it's onwards and upwards to Mexico!
I would like to say a really big Thank You to Karen
& Joe who took me into their home in Winterhaven last week and
treated me like one of their own. Without the support of special
people like this, life really would be so much harder on Tour. Thank
you!
Thanks for taking the time to keep up with my exploits
on Tour!
Chill
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Rachel signs with P.A.R.