BOOTHBAY HARBOR – Alyssa Hayes wanted to focus on the positives Wednesday afternoon.

After a par-71, tying the women’s course record at the Boothbay Country Club, the defending WMSGA champion pulled within four strokes of leader Abby Spector after two rounds.

“Last night, I said I’m going to hit every shot one at a time,” said Hayes, who took a three-hour nap rather than practice after Tuesday’s opening round 77. “I wasn’t going to think about (Tuesday). That was my main goal of the day, and I did that.”

As fine a day as Hayes had, she couldn’t help but wonder what could have been. Hayes shot four-under on the first nine and got within one stroke of Spector. The back nine was another story, as three holes gave Spector a more comfortable lead.

“The back nine was kind of disappointing,” said Hayes. “But you know, I’m happy with my round. I’m happy with how I played. I really only had three bad holes. I had two three-putts, which I’m frustrated with, and that double bogey.”

Spector preserved a four-shot lead entering today’s final round. She shot a second straight round of 72. Her goal was to play safe and force Hayes to make things happen or make mistakes.

“She obviously can go low,” said Spector. “So it’s never safe, but I’m happy to maintain some sort of lead after what she did on the front nine.”

Spector has a two-round total of 144. Hayes is at 148. Pennie Cummings remains third after a round of 78. She’s 11 strokes behind Spector at 155. Leslie Guenther is fourth at 157 following a round of 79. Julie Treadwell and Megan Angis each are tied at 161. Both broke 70 Tuesday. Treadwell shot an 83 Wednesday while Angis had an 82.

Spector’s lead quickly dissipated as Hayes produced four birdies over six holes on the front. After eight holes, she trailed Spector by just one stroke.

“I didn’t really know how well I did on the front nine,” said Hayes. “I’ve been in that position before. I wasn’t really out of my zone or anything like that. I had the three putts and that double bogey. Other than that, I was happy with the back nine.”

Hayes’ day took a turn with a bogey on 12 and 13 and a double bogey on 14. She admits at times, she rushed key shots and was too tentative on the greens when she three-putted.

“I just didn’t get it there,” said Hayes. “I was scared. I was nervous. The greens here are tricky. So I just wanted to have it trickle down.”

Rather than go for it as she did Tuesday, Spector was just trying to hold the lead with a less aggressive approach Wednesday.

“I just tried to play to the 100-yard marker,” said Spector. “I tried to set myself up for some more birdies than (Tuesday), which I did. I didn’t make the putts. So I ended up the same.”

Watching Hayes creep up on her made it tempting to alter her conservative approach. Finally, on the 10th hole, Spector decided to go for the hole.

“I did go for it on that hole,” said Spector, who settled for a par. “It wasn’t in the plan, but I knew it was time to make something happen.”

Spector had just one bogey on the back, on the 13th hole, and watched her lead grow again as Hayes faltered.

“I was just trying to get it back to where it was at yesterday,” said Spector. “Between her and I, we don’t seem to pick up one stroke here or there. It’s like three strokes on one hole.”

Cummings fell further back from leaders with a 78. Her triple-bogey and back-to-back bogeys on the first three holes led to a six-over front nine.

Rosemary Lyons of Westbrook recorded a hole-in-one on the 17th hole, a 127-yard, par-3. Her nine-iron tee shot hit the right of the green and rolled downhill to the hole. Her playing partners were Becky Warren of Dover-Foxcroft and Viola Kemp of Waterville.

kmills@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link