MILFORD — Some of the best potential future stars of women’s golf as well as many veterans hoping for a chance at a precious LPGA Tour card descended on the Great River Golf Club to begin play in the Hartford Healthcare Women’s Championship, an Epson Tour event.
After Friday’s first round two players — Daniela Iacobelli and Lakareber Abe — were atop the leaderboard with matching 6-under-par 66s. Amanda Doherty was alone in third with a 5-under 67, followed by nine players at 4-under.
Iacobelli, a 36-year-old veteran from Detroit with four Epson Tour wins to her credit, had matching 33s on her card in a round that featured seven birdies and one bogey. Abe, from The Woodlands, Texas, had a 31 on her front nine that included an eagle on the par-5 fourth hole and three birdies. She had 35 on the back with two more birdies and a bogey.
The Epson Tour, started in 1999, is the official qualifying tour of the LPGA. Players compete for prize money — the Hartford Healthcare event has a total purse of $262,500 — as well as points. A win is worth 500 points with the top 15 players at the end of the season in October earning cards for the 2025 LPGA Tour.
Jenny Bae, the 2023 Hartford Healthcare champion, finished with an even-par 72. The tournament continues on Saturday with the second round — after which the field will be cut down — and the final on Sunday.
Originally Published: July 12, 2024 at 7:54 p.m.
