NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. – Lindsay Gahm, who will be a junior on the 2012-13 LSU women’s golf team, scored a wire-to-wire victory Wednesday in the Lexmark Kentucky Women’s Open at the Champion Trace Golf Club.
Gahm, who is from Louisville, birdied nine holes in Tuesday’s first round of 5-under 67 to open a five-shot lead and coasted home on Wednesday with a 2-over 74 to finish the 36-hole event at 3-under 141.
“I was hitting it like darts (Tuesday), and hitting the 5-foot putts.” Gahm told the Lexington Herald-Leader. “I just was hitting it really well. I wasn’t nervous. I was just happy to be out here and playing. I played solid both days, hitting control iron shots. I didn’t make as many putts (Wednesday) as I did yesterday, but overall I am pleased with how I played.”
Gahm also will come back to LSU with a new belly putter, something she credited for her success on the greens.
“I probably owe that to my belly putter, now that I have switched,” Gahm said. “Ever since I have gotten it, I have been more consistent with my longer putts. I was very happy with how I putted all week.”
Gahm, who came to LSU after competing for Indiana her freshman year, had a good first year for the Tigers, averaging 76.2 strokes per round while playing in all 34 rounds for the team. She was part of the team that finished third in the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships for the second straight year.
“It’s been awesome,” Gahm said about her experience at LSU so far.
Finishing four strokes behind Gahm was Sara Hurwitch, the top-finishing professional player. Hurwitch, a third-year professional who lives in Union and played golf collegiately for Kentucky, earned a $2,000 payout for her performance.
Sixty-one golfers competed in the tournament, which has been played annually since 1997.