Joy Chou takes lead into final round of 96th Iowa Women’s Amateur at Elmwood CC
Joy Chou (pictured above), of Ames, began the day one back at the 96th Iowa Women’s Amateur. She regrouped after a few early bogies in the second round, rallying on the backside and capturing the lead with a birdie on the par-4 18th at Elmwood Country Club, which brought her to 7-over par for the tournament with a 36-hole total of 147 (+7). She will have a one-stroke advantage heading into Wednesday’s final round.
Ames’ Amelia Mehmet-Grohn, the opening round leader, remains in the hunt and is only one stroke back after a few late bogies led her to settle for a round of 78 (+8) and a 148 (+8) total. YiTing Chou, of Ames, will begin the final round in a tie for third with Ames’ Taglao Jeeravivitaporn at a tally of 150 (+10). All four ladies from Ames are members of the women’s golf team at Iowa State University.
The low round of the day went to IGA veteran Karli Kerrigan, of Ankeny, who posted a round of 73 (+3) which included three birdies to work her way into the top 10.
In the Open Division Kathy Fortune, of Rockwell City, took advantage of moving day, propelling herself forward six spots to the top of the leaderboard with her round of 78 (+8) for a 36-hole total of 164 (+24). She carries a four-stroke advantage over 2019 IGA Women’s Senior Player of the Year Kelly Grimes heading into Wednesday.