Former University of Kansas star Lauren Clark was in high spirits at her First Coast home on March 5 at the Epson Tour’s Atlantic Beach Classic, birdieing all three par-5 holes at Atlantic Beach Country Club to take a two-stroke lead inside the clubhouse.
This is the Epson Tour’s season-opening event, and players have been competing for LPGA Tour status all season. At the end of the season, the top 15 players on the Epson Tour points list will graduate to the LPGA.
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Clark, an Orlando native who started his collegiate career at LSU, had four birdies between Nos. 6 and 12 and ended the day with a birdie on the par-5 18th. She leads Thailand’s Keira Fuchalong, who was 4 under through 15 holes when play was halted due to darkness. She birdied four of the first five holes.
On March 5, Lauren Clark birdied every par-5 hole at Atlantic Beach Country Club to take a two-shot lead at the Epson Tour’s Atlantic Beach Classic.
The 24 players resume the first round at 7:30 a.m.
Jacksonville’s Jessica Pobasnik was among six players tied for a 3-under 68. She made an eagle on the sixth hole and birdied the 17th and 18th.
Mexico’s Maria Fassi, who played at the University of Arkansas and won the NCAA individual championship in 2019, shot a 1-under 70. Past US Open champion Jung-Gun Lee shot a 71.
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Former University of North Florida player Kristin Eisenbeis shot a 76, and Episcopal junior Sahana Chokshi, who was playing at the invitation of a sponsor, had an adventurous round of 77 with a triple bogey, three doubles and five birdies.
Jacksonville’s Amelia Lewis shot a 79 and former Jacksonville University player Jessica Welch was 10 over with one hole remaining.
This article originally appeared in the Florida Times Union: Lauren Clark leads Epson Tour’s Atlantic Beach Classic
