Hanson Weathers Adversity To Take One-Stroke Lead In Ghp Heartland Classic

With some golfers donning mittens between shots, Rathdrum, Idaho’s Tracy Hanson finished at 4-under-par 68 in the rain, wind and chill for a one-stroke lead Thursday after one round of the GHP Heartland Classic.

Temperatures hovered in the mid-50s all day, and players bundled up in coats and thick sweaters. A brisk breeze conjured talk of wind chills, almost unheard of in St. Louis in September. To make matters worse, rain fell periodically throughout the day.

The conditions took a toll. More than one-third of the field shot 77 or higher. Sixteen players failed to break 80.

But Hanson, an LPGA rookie, seemed unfazed.

“I grew up in the cold weather,” she said. “I played in a lot colder than this in high school.”

Hanson, who made four birdies and no bogeys, said it is too early to watch the leaderboard.

“I’m not going to pay any attention. If I can keep myself in contention, I’ll go from there,” she said.