Maria Fassi is still looking for her first win on the LPGA. She’s in position to get No. 1 thanks to an opening-round bogey-free 8-under 62 at the weather-delayed Pelican Women’s Championship at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
The 24-year-old used seven birdies (including a stretch of three straight on Nos. 5-7) and an eagle at the par-5 14th to earn a two-shot lead over five players, one of which is Lexi Thompson.
Fassi’s best finishes this season are two solo thirds, one at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational in July and the other at the Kroger Queen City Championship in September. Her last start came last week at the Toto Japan Classic where she ended the week in solo 70th.
Thompson’s round wasn’t blemish-free, as she bogeyed the par-4 second, but like Fassi, the 27-year-old had an eagle on the card at the par-5 seventh.
Lizette Salas is part of a pack at 5 under, while Jennifer Kupcho opened the Pelican with a 1-under 69.
The event has been shortened to 54 holes due to the impact of Hurricane Nicole.
