Six months pregnant, Alexandra Austin takes early U.S. Women’s Mid-Am lead after nearly making an ace

Six months pregnant, Alexandra Austin takes early U.S. Women’s Mid-Am lead after nearly making an ace

 

Alexandra Austin, a seasoned competitor in USGA championships, has taken an impressive lead in the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, showcasing remarkable skill and determination despite being six months pregnant. This marks her fourth appearance in the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, and her performance in the opening round at Brae Burn Country Club in West Newton, Massachusetts, has already set a high standard for the tournament.

 

At 31 years old, Austin, who works as an insurance agent from Fairfax, Virginia, is no stranger to competitive golf. Her track record includes reaching the quarterfinals of last year’s U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and making it to the semifinals in the 2016 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball alongside Lauren Greenlief. Despite these achievements, Austin’s performance in the current tournament is noteworthy for its unique circumstances.

 

During the opening round of stroke play, Austin demonstrated her exceptional skills by nearly achieving a hole-in-one on the challenging 217-yard par-3 17th hole. Her tee shot with a 3-wood came tantalizingly close to the cup, landing just inches away from an ace. Reflecting on this near-miss, Austin expressed both her excitement and a hint of humor, noting, “It was almost going in. I was like, Oh that’d be great, and then I can’t drink.” Her ability to maintain such a high level of performance while pregnant is a testament to her dedication and talent.

 

Austin’s round was characterized by three birdies on the back nine and only one bogey, resulting in a two-under-par score of 70. Her performance stood out as the only score under par for the round, especially given the challenging conditions of the day. The weather in eastern Massachusetts was raw and difficult, contributing to a scoring average of 8.1 strokes over par for the 132-player field. Despite these tough conditions, Austin was pleasantly surprised to find herself in the lead.

 

“I didn’t really think it was going to be the low round,” she admitted. “I just hit it well tee-to-green and then made some putts whenever I could.” Her ability to adapt and excel under such circumstances is indicative of her skill and resilience as a golfer.

 

With her baby boy expected to arrive in January, Austin has had to adjust her practice routine. Although she has reduced the frequency of her practice sessions, she has managed to maintain a consistent playing schedule. Her dedication was evident earlier this year when she finished tied for second at the Virginia Women’s Open, demonstrating that her game remains strong despite the adjustments she has made.

 

Following Austin, the closest competitor is Kelly Chugg, a well-known figure in the Women’s Mid-Amateur. Chugg, who won the tournament in 2017 and has been a runner-up twice, including last year, shot a one-over-par 73 in the opening round. Chugg’s strong performance reflects her experience and capability, making her a formidable opponent as the tournament progresses.

 

As the tournament continues, Round 2 of stroke play is scheduled for today. The top 64 players from the stroke play rounds will advance to match play, with the championship match set to take place on Thursday. With Austin holding the early lead, the coming rounds are anticipated to be highly competitive, as players vie for a spot in the match play rounds and ultimately the title.