Madison, Connecticut (May 28, 2024) – Day one of the 25th Connecticut Women’s Open presented by Crescent Point Private Wealth belonged to Bella Harris.
On a day when the sun shone bright but the wind proved to be a challenge, Harris made her way around Madison Country Club in an impressive 3 under 68 to take a two-shot advantage heading into Wednesday’s final round.
Harris, out of Greenville, South Carolina, got off to a slow start with a bogey on the opening hole and was 1 over through five holes however the outlook on her round changed with one swing.
On the par-5 sixth hole Harris, a full-time mini-tour player primarily on the Women’s Next Tour in Florida, found the fairway with her drive. With 165 yards remaining Harris took a 6 iron into the wind and jarred her second shot for her first career albatross.
“I saw it hit that backstop just on the right,” Bella Harris said. “My guess is it spun off that hill and just got a little lucky.”
Suddenly in red figures, Harris rolled in a 20-footer for birdie on the ensuing par 4 to reach 3 under. A pair of bogeys on Nos. 11 and 12 dropped Harris back to 1 under but she played the last four holes in 2 under carding three birdies against just one bogey to secure the first round lead.
“I’m pretty happy with my round,” Harris said. “I’ve been working a lot on my mental game. So I’m pretty proud to say I finished the way I did.”
Two shots behind Harris in second place is Linda Wang. The second-year professional out of Plainview, New York fired a 1 under 70 on Tuesday and will begin the final round alone in second place.
Wang, who also plays on the Epson Tour and the ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour, played a steady round of golf paring her first 17 holes before two-putting for birdie on the par-5 closing hole.
“It was windy today and I just tried to play steady golf,” Linda Wang said. “I tried to avoid trouble and I guess playing conservatively worked. My putts, the ones that I needed to fall, fell, and overall I kept a really good mindset today, so I’m really proud of myself.”
The top five are rounded out by Susie Cavanagh (Warwick, RI) in third at even-par and three others tied for fourth at 1 over. The group includes Meaghan Francella (Philadelphia, PA), 2019 champion Loretta Giovannettone (Jupiter, FL), and Kyle Fraser (Shady Oaks CC).
Wednesday’s final round will begin at 8 a.m.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Women’s Open presented by Crescent Point Private Wealth is one of 20 championships conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association. The CSGA functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and conducts over 60 Championships, Qualifiers, and One Day Tournaments throughout the year.
