NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Dakoda Dowd failed to advance to the second round of qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open, shooting a 78 on Monday while her cancer-stricken mother rested in a hotel room near the Imperial Country Club.
The 14-year-old Dowd made national headlines a year ago when she received a sponsor exemption into the LPGA Tour's Ginn Open near Orlando.
Dowd, whose golf bag pocket had the letters K and J for her mother, Kelly Jo, on either side of the pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness, said golf wasn't the first thing on her mind.
"I had a good time," she said. "It wasn't the best round. I think I need to get my head better. I have a lot going around right now. I just need to focus my head on golf instead of all of these things that are going around me. Be more positive."
A weather delay meant 39 players out of the field of 110 were unable to complete their rounds Monday. Play will resume at Tuesday morning. The top 28 finishers advance to sectional qualifying.
Marika Lendl, the daughter of tennis great Ivan Lendl, was tied for sixth with a 73. Her sister, Isabelle, was among those who didn't finish.
Madison Pressel, the younger sister of LPGA Nabisco champion Morgan, bogeyed the final two holes to shoot a 76 and was tied for 18th with six others.
