Gal Tied for 10th After First Round in LPGA Opener

Friday, February 15, 2008 | Women's Golf

LPGA rookie and former Florida women's golf two-time All-American Sandra Gal carded a 2-under par 70 in her first professional round at the SBS Open on Thursday. Kelli Kuehne led all individuals with a 5-under par 67 as Gal sits three shots out of the lead in a 139-player field.

One of the last ones to leave the course after teeing off at 1:30 p.m., Gal birdied two out of her first five holes and was tied for as high as third throughout the day. Gal bogeyed her last hole before heading into the clubhouse but is tied with defending SBS champion Paula Creamer along with Annika Sorenstam and others.

Prior to her first tournament, Gal was received attention in USA TODAY, predicted as one of the rookies to break out on the tour this year along with former Georgia golfer Taylor Leon. In the 2008 LPGA Preview by Golf Digest/ESPN, she was named in the “Five to Watch” section, likely to make headlines in the new season.