U.S. Women's Am: Mariel Galdiano sets scoring record in earning medalist honors

SPRINGFIELD, Penn. (Aug. 2, 2016) -- Mariel Galdiano, of Pearl City, Hawaii, carded 9-under 133 on Monday and Tuesday to post a new 36-hole scoring record for the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship. Galdiano, a member of the 2016 USA Curtis Cup team, has only recorded 1 bogey so far at Rolling Green Golf Club. Coming off a first round of 68, Galdiano was firing on all cylinders on Tuesday. After a 10th tee start, she jump started her round with four consecutive birdies at the turn, holes 18 and 1-3. “I really like the layout,” said Galdiano, an incoming freshman at UCLA, of the William Flynn design. “It's the same designer as the course out at Lancaster (Country Club) last year for the Women's Open. I played in that. So it's a comfortable feel and comfortable look. So I'm just able to pinpoint my approach shots and make those putts.” As impressive as Galdiano's 65 and record 9-under total is, it is closely followed in "wow factor" by the 7-under 135 posted by Lucy Li of Redwood Shores, California. Li won the hearts of golf fans worldwide, when she qualified for the U.S. Women's Open in 2014 as an 11-year-old. After missing the cut, she enjoyed walking inside the ropes, and dripping ice cream when being interviewed by the media, who wanted to know the daily count of the frozen treats she was enjoying. She posted a bogey-free first round of 67 and followed that up with a 68. We expect her to move far through the bracket this week. Records are meant to be broken. Hye-Jin Choi, 16, of the Republic of Korea -- fresh off a Canadian Women's Amateur win -- and Yuka Saso, 15, of the Philippines, tied for third at 137. Nine players tied for 60th place at 5-over 147, and entered a 9-for-5 playoff for the last match play positions. Before darkness set in, four players had secured their spots with pars on the par-3, 186 yard 10th hole -- Abbey Carlson, Kacie Komoto, August Kim, and Aurora Kan. The final spot will be decided on Wednesday morning at 7:15am, when the 5 remaining players will continue forward, in search of the single remaining match play spot.