IN THE MONEY!

One of the real concerns I had for my Cousin Lauren Doughtie when she finished high enough in December to win her LPGA playing card was the fact that even though she won one tournament last year she missed the cut way too many times playing in the minor leagues and this LPGA is a big step up.  Why should we think that she will ever make a cut on the LPGA and any one who follows golf knows if you don't play the weekends you don't cash a check.

This weekend the LPGA played on United states soil for the first time and fourth tournament of the year.  Lauren had gone to Australia for the first one and you guessed it she didn't make the cut. This week they played in Phoenix Arizona and Lauren shot a very nice 69 in the opening round to tie for 21st at three under par.  Friday another good day coming in with a 71 which is good enough at four under to make the cut by two shots and she dropped to a tie for 32nd.

Brooks Doughtie and I were texting back and forth Saturday  talking about Lauren and I made the comment that she had made the cut but by Sunday she would be very lucky to finish 70th which would be the last person to get a check.  Brooks response to me was "If you finish last in class in medical school what do they call you?"  "A Doctor."  He was right Lauren was going to be able to pay her bills for this weekend regardless of where she finished.

Saturday came and she shot a two over 74 and fell to 59th.  Still two under for the tournament and yes last year on the Futures tour she would have been in the top ten.  But, this is the LPGA and she finds herself 17 shots out of the lead.  Then Sunday she tees off on #10 while the leaders are going off #1.  She shoots a 33 on the front and replicates another 33 on the back to shoot a 66.

Eight under par her second best pro tournament of her life. Just to show you how it is going to be playing on the big tour a 66 only moved her up to a tie for 43rd.  But that is still the second biggest check of her pro golfing career.  Only her one win on the Futures tour last year paid her more.  We all know those of us who pull for LD that next week the risk of not making the cut will still be there.  Looking at the future she has to make enough money to qualify just to play on tour next year.

It sure was something to watch the Golf channel coverage and watch as the scores scroll across the bottom of the screen and see L Doughtie -5, the next time -6 then even the next time -7 and oh yes -8.  Our goal now is to get close enough to the lead to see her make a shot on the TV.  I might not be next week but our hopes sure have climbed this weekend.