Lewis cards 65 to lead the first round

Jump to leaderboard ROGERS, Ark. — University of Arkansas senior Stacy Lewis fired a first round 65 and leads the field of the LPGA NW Arkansas Championship at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark., Saturday. Sort of. Yes, Lewis blistered the rain-soaked course counting a 65 – her lowest competitive round, collegiate or amateur, since joining the Lady Razorbacks in 2003-04 as a redshirt freshman. Yes, Lewis is a top the leaderboard with three players in second tied with 66. No, the round is not quite over. The problem for Lewis and the others has been weather. Lewis’ first round was shortened Friday due to rain and darkness. The Woodlands, Texas, native got in eight holes and was four-under before being pulled from the course. She began Saturday on the 16th hole picking up right where she left off. A par on 16 was followed by a birdies on 18th moving her to five-under for the round. Lewis, whose caddie this week is Lady Razorback teammate Lucy Nunn, missed another birdie opportunity as she made the turn on the first hole when her putt lipped out of the cup. That would have tied her with the current leaders. The 2007 NCAA Champion played par golf on the next five holes before picking up her next birdie on the seventh hole. Lewis’ shot from the fairway left her with a 25-foot bending putt. She calmly stepped up and knocked it down, tipping her hat at the galleries applause. Lewis was six-under and tied for the lead. She picked up another par on the eighth hole, finally stepping to the ninth to close the first round. The par-four 3,70-yard hole is deceiving with its uphill slope and plays longer than it seems. Lewis knocked her tee shot down the middle of the fairway staying out of the standing water from the previous day’s rain. She lifted her second shot within 15 feet of the hole, sinking the birdie putt as it started to sprinkle. The birdie putt Lewis at seven under and in sole possession of the lead. "It’s awesome," said Lewis after the round. "It’s a cool feeling. Obviously, I’ve never been in this situation so I need to not really think about the lead and just go play golf." When Lewis came off the course around 11:00 a.m., 12 groups were still trying to complete their first rounds. Six other had started round two. Shortly after, play was suspended for the day. Play is scheduled to resume at 7:15 a.m. Sunday. For more information about Lewis and the Lady Razorback golf team log on to LADYBACKS.COM.