Erin Kerr couldn’t recall the last time she needed four putts to complete a hole.
That’s never a pretty sight, something best forgotten as quickly as possible.
Technically, the defending Colorado Women’s Open champion did not four-putt Wednesday during her opening-round 74 at Green Valley Ranch because her first stroke with the flat stick on the 142-yard 17th came from the fringe.
In any case, the double-bogey 5 was costly. The former University of Colorado golfer who lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., stood 2-under through 15 holes but finished bogey, double bogey, bogey.
She begins today’s second round two strokes behind leaders Kelly Cap of Youngstown, Ohio, and Rebecka Heinmert of San Jose, Calif.
“To end a round like that was frustrating,” Kerr said. “I was reminding myself to be patient out there.”
Nobody could blame Kerr for wanting to rush things and get out of the wind. Gusts blew from all directions and made it difficult to maintain balance and composure, especially while standing over a putt. Kerr three-putted No. 18 from 15 feet.
“When it’s windy like this I have to take my time,” said Kerr, a mini-tour pro who won a Cactus Tour event in Phoenix last month. “I was trying to walk slow and swing slow.”
The field of 139 golfers expected scorching temperatures but was surprised by the ferocious wind. Pace of play suffered, with some groups taking more than five hours to finish.
Cap, who has conditional status on the LPGA Tour, took the attitude she would ride the wind around the course. She birdied her first two holes and finished with an even-par 72.
“I wanted the wind to be my friend,” Cap said
Kelly Jacques, an amateur from Longmont, must have been the only entrant to arrive at the clubhouse with a big grin. Jacques is accustomed to wind-swept conditions, having recently completed her sophomore year at Oklahoma.
“Now I love playing in bad weather. When I see the wind I get pumped up,” Jacques said after a 75, which included eight missed birdie putts within 10 feet.
Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-820-5456 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
