Emma Talley cooled off after a fast start but still finds herself in contention for the KPMG Women’s PGA Open title after Thursday’s first round near Chicago.
Talley birdied the first four holes to get to within one shot of the lead. She then bogeyed three of the final 14 holes to finish at 1-under and tie for 32nd, five shots off the lead.
The Princeton native was consistent off the tee, reaching the fairway on 13 of her 14 tee shots. However, her 31 putts in the round is two more than her season average.
Talley will need another round under par Friday to likely assure her of making the cut, with the line set at even par entering the second round. The purse of the event, being played a Kemper Lakes Golf Club in Kildeer, Illinois, is $3.65 million. Talley entered the week 51st on the LPGA money list.