CN Canadian Women's Open flagDarren Carroll
Winnipeg, Man. - When the rain pelted the earth and the mosquitoes went to work with a vengeance on Saturday, the roller coaster ride stopped for Canadian veteran Lorie Kane at the CN Canadian Women's Open golf tournament.
The 45-year-old from Prince Edward Island shot 68 in the third round Saturday, as Kane made five birdies, for the most consistent round she's had in a very long time. She's been "off" for a little bit, Kane admits, although she's been trying to sew up the holes in her game with some instruction from top Canadian coach Sean Foley. On Saturday, his lessons seemed to sink in, just as the rain did.
"I still left a ton out there," Kane said afterward. "So I'm very encouraged."
Kane failed to make birdie on some par-five holes, and she misread a putt on the 13th hole but saved par. But she and many others had an easier time of it in the third round than earlier in the week because the wind diminished greatly and the greens were so soft, the balls didn't run out of control. When they made impact with a green, more likely than not, they'd land with a soft thud, and stay put.
But the mosquitoes were another factor that players didn't have early in the week. The insects settled around players' heads and necks like a cloud. There was as much swatting as swinging.
"Being from Prince Edward Island, we can get some pretty nasty ones, too," Kane said with a laugh.
"But these, I gave quite a bit of blood today."
Kane feels that she can shoot even lower on Sunday. Perhaps the wild ride she had earlier in the week will stop. "I've never had to take so many unplayables," she said. "It can be mentally draining when it happens."
With the pressure off after having made the cut on Friday, Lisa Meldrum of Montreal saved a couple of bogeys by making three birdies and shot a one-under 71 on Saturday. "I set my sights high, for not just making the cut this week. I had a good day today."
Meldrum, a three-time Canadian amateur champion and LPGA rookie, relished the soft turf, because she could get the ball close to the hole. "It's always a challenge playing in the rain, but it was good today," she said. The rains intensified later in the afternoon - after Meldrum had finished.
Meldrum rolled into Winnipeg this week with good vibes: the last time she played at the St. Charles course, she won her first amateur championship in 2001. "It brought back good memories, just being in the province," she said.
After an inconsistent start to the season, Meldrum grew more comfortable and made half the cuts. "You need to make a few less mistakes and a few better decisions out there and that's the difference between playing the week and not."
She's usually precise off the tee, but on Saturday, her putter saved her. "I was scrambling on a few holes and I made some important pars when I had to and a couple of birdies."
Adrienne White had a tougher day in the rain than on Friday when she shot 68 to make the cut. The 26-year-old from Red Deer, Alta., settled for a 75 in the third round to finish in a tie for 53rd, four strokes over par.
"I had a bogey, bogey start and I just couldn't get it going on the greens," White said.