LPGA: Marathon Classic Fantasy Picks

Jul 20, 2013; Toledo, OH, USA; Paula Creamer walks to the 8th green with her caddie during the third round of the Marathon Classic at Highland Meadows Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Ladies Dream Golf players picked world ranked number 1 Stacy Lewis to top the board at the Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning & I-O and defending champion Beatriz Recari, Rolex-ranked 155th Amelia Lewis and third year Tour player Ryann O’Toole to make the cut. Where do they stand after the first round?

Stacy Lewis. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Lewis, who would very much like to win the Marathon Classic and increase the edge of her lead in the Rolex Player of the Year and the Race to the CME Globe, made a so-so start today. With three birdies and two bogeys on her card, Lewis managed to go to the clubhouse with a one-under-par 70, trailing the early lead Laura Diaz established when she played a bogey-free round, made her way around the Highland Meadow Golf Club course with an economical 25 putts, and carded an impressive, career-low 62.

Lewis will go into the the second round trailing Diaz by eight strokes and will need to get down to the business of playing golf if she wants to get to the top of the board.

Beatriz Recari. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports1

After a shaky double bogey start, defending champ Recari, like Lewis, carded 70 today. Although Recari’s missed seven cuts in thirteen starts this year, she seemed to be playing with renewed energy last week at the RICOH Women’s British Open. Perhaps she can keep it up. She matched Stacy Lewis’s 30 putts today and although she was a bit shorter off the tee than her 2013 average, Recari’s long game has never been her strength. She and Stacy Lewis are both going to need to heat up their flat sticks if they hope to compete for the top of the board.

Amelia Lewis, who’s missed seven cuts in twelve starts this year, did a somewhat better job playing her round today than did either Beatriz Recari or Stacy Lewis. With five birdies and three bogeys on her card, Amelia Lewis is going into the second round at two strokes under par. She can improve on her score if she can start hitting fairways, but she certainly looks good to make the cut if she can sustain the performance level she displayed in the first round.