PETALING JAYA: Natasha Andrea Oon marked her LPGA Tour debut with an even-par 72 in the opening round of the Fortinet Founders Cup in California on Thursday (March 19).
Making her long-awaited LPGA Tour full season debut after two years out of competition due to a foot injury, the Malaysian endured a nightmare start at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club.
She carded a quadruple bogey eight on the par-four second hole after missing her target off the tee and struggling to recover.
However, the 24-year-old responded with a superb fightback by recovering her game with steady play across the remaining holes.
"I couldn't see a thing. I hit it right and it just got worse from there," said Natasha on her nervy start.
"I was like, okay, I am back. There is a lot of golf to go.
"My caddie kept me focused and I just took it one shot at a time," said Natasha, who turned in a 39 before salvaging her opening round with a 33 on the back nine.
Her even-par effort saw her finish tied for 60th alongside several top players, including world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul and world No. 5 Miyu Yamashita.
South Korea's Kim Hyo-joo leads the field after firing a nine-under 63 to open a two-shot cushion.
Natasha is competing under a medical exemption after a foot injury delayed her debut despite earning her LPGA Tour card for the 2024 season.
Natasha is only the third Malaysian to feature in the LPGA Tour after Lim Siew Ai and Kelly Tan.
