Emilee Hoffman of Folsom, Calif., used an eagle 2 on the par-4 sixth hole of Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville as the centerpiece of her record-tying 7-under-par 65 in Monday’s first round of Women’s Western Amateur qualifying.
In so doing, Hoffman took a four-stroke lead into Tuesday’s second qualifying round over the trio of Doey Choi, Linda Wang and Maggie Ashmore. Their 3-under 69s are a stroke better than another trio, including the highest-placed Illinois resident, Brianne Bolden of Mokena, the runner-up in last year’s IHSA Class 2A championship.
Hoffman tied Mistwood’s women’s course record, a 65 posted by amateur Aimee Neff in the second round of the 2008 Illinois Women’s Open. Though results from two years are missing, Hoffman also appeared to tie the single-round qualifying record for the Women’s Western. Carol Semple Thompson scored a 65 at Firethorn Golf Club, Lincoln, Neb., in 1991.
Allisen Corpuz of Waipahu, Haw., the medalist last year at River Forest Country Club, is in a group at 1-under 71.
The field will be cut to the low 32 on Wednesday in preparation for match play, which begins Thursday and runs through Saturday’s 36-hole final. Through 18 holes, there was a nine-way tie for 28th place at 2-over 74. Among those on the outside looking in: Bolingbrook’s Jessica Yuen (6-over 78) and Lemont’s Lauren Beaudreau (7-over 79).