At 14 years old, Zoe Campos is a realist.
How was her first round at the U.S. Women’s Amateur on Monday?
“It was OK,” she said. “I struggled in the beginning, but I kind of came back.”
She’s also an optimist.
“I mean, I thought I would be higher. I guess the field is really strong,” she said. “I’m still in good position coming into tomorrow.”
MORE: SCV golfer Zoe Campos playing beyond her age
Campos, a Valencia resident, shot a 1-over 73 at San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista, placing her in an 18-way tie for 27th place heading into Tuesday’s second round.
The top 64 golfers will advance to Wednesday’s match play.
The biggest challenge Monday?
“I guess the weather because I struggled a bit calculating and which clubs I should hit,” Campos said, describing the weather as overcast and humid, “and the greens were a bit faster than I thought.”
Campos, who hadn’t planned on attending the Women’s Amateur because of a scheduling conflict but was convinced by a phone call from LPGA pro and Valencia High grad Alison Lee, said she watched and learned from the older players’ poise on Monday.
“They took it shot by shot by shot and hole by hole,” she said.
Campos aimed to emulate the mindset as she recovered from bogeys on two of her first three holes. She then birdied holes four, five and 11 to get under par.
She bogeyed 12 and 13 and finished the round 1-over.
Tuesday, she will tee off in the afternoon instead of in the morning like the first round.
She feels it will create a challenge because the wind kicks up after lunchtime, but it’s a challenge she believes she’s up for.
The plan, she said, is to take extra time at the range in the morning and eat a good lunch.
