Kate Smith of Detroit Lakes finished in the money placing 16th at the Natchez Golf Classic, following up her first professional purse last week in Arkansas.
Smith opened the first round at Beau Pre’ Country Club in Natchez, Mississippi, with a 2-under par front nine starting off the 10th tee. Consecutive birdies on No. 2 and No. 3, both par 4 holes, had her sitting near the leaders at -4, but a double bogey on the ninth, her final hole of the day, erased those two shots.
She finished day one in a share of 14th place.
Smith had four birdies in her second round and shot even par on the front side, but worked around two front side bogeys and three bogeys and a double on the back nine to finish at 3-over for the round and +1 for the tournament (70-75 145).
Ana Paula Valdes of Mexico recorded back-to-back rounds of 65 to sit atop the leaderboard at 12-under par, four shots ahead of the field. Valdes recorded just one bogey in her two rounds.
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Maggie Ashmore of Cartersville, Georgia, is tied for second place with rounds of 67 and 69 to sit at 8-under par.
Smith was under in both of the final two rounds.
A pair of birdies led to a 2-under front nine 34. On the back side, she canceled two bogeys with three birdies and an eagle at the par-5, 18th hole to polish off a 3-under, 33 and a 5-under par round to make the cut for the final round.
Friday’s field was cut to the top 26 golfers and ties heading into Friday’s final round. Smith was in 18th position.
She moved up two spots to 16th with another stellar round to finish the tournament. Smith tied for most birdies on the day with seven, shooting a 4-under par 68.
Smith finished in sole possession of 16th place at 8-under par 280 for the tournament (70-75-67-68).
Ana Paula Valdes of Mexico claimed the title at 18-under par 270.
Smith was second to Valdes in par breakers for the tournament with 22 (21 birdies and an eagle). She ranked third on the par 5 holes over four days with 7 pars, 7 birdies, 1 eagle.
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