Ranked 468th, Suthavee Chanachai shoots a 69 to claim solo lead at U.S. Women’s Amateur

Suthavee Chanachai, ranked 468th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, shot the low round of the opening round of the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Chanachai, a recent graduate of New Mexico State, carded a 3-under 69 on Monday to lead after the first day of the 36-hole stroke-play portion of the championship. This is her USGA debut, and, as a matter of fact, she had never even tried to qualify for a USGA event before this one.

After her round, she was asked if she had any pre-championship expectations.

“The goal is basically focusing on the process. I don’t want to put expectations out there. If I play good, I play good. If I play bad, I play bad. It’s golf,” she said.

Chanachai, who is from Thailand, had five birdies in her round, thanks to some precise approach shots. She said all five putts were holed from within 15 feet.

U.S. WOMEN’S AMATEUR: Leaderboard

Let’s Go Pun!! @Pun_chanachai https://t.co/Un81JeNFX1

— NM State Men’s Golf (@NMStateMGolf) August 3, 2021

There are five Americans at 2 under and tied for second: Aneka Seumanutafa, Anna Morgan, Bridget Ma, Hailey Borja and Brooke Seay.

The world’s top-ranked amateur and the 2021 U.S. Junior Girls’ champ Rose Zhang shot a 1-over 73 and is tied for 20th. Zhang is also the defending champion of this event.

Kennedy Swann, who helped Ole Miss win its first NCAA Championship in May, is also 1 over. Bailey Davis, who lost to Zhang in the final of the Girls Junior, is 1 over. Rachel Heck, the individual national champion at the 2021 NCAAs, shot a 2-over 74. Megha Ganne, the darling of the U.S. Women’s Open in San Francisco in June, opened with a 7-over 79.

The field of 156 will play 18 holes of stroke play again on Tuesday at Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York. The low 64 will then advance to match play.