Fassi, Kim eliminated while Lewis, Lopez advance at NWA

ROGERS — Former Razorbacks Stacy Lewis and Gabriela Lopez advanced to final round play while current players Maria Fassi and Dylan Kim’s weekends came to a close on Saturday at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G.

Fassi played on a sponsor’s exemption and finished shooting 4-over 73-73=146. The senior-to-be had a colorful scorecard with two eagles, one birdie and five bogeys.

“Two eagles, that’s always good,” said Fassi. “It’s a nice highlight for the tournament.”

The first eagle came on the second hole, a par-5, after she hit a perfect tee shot to set up the finish. Fassi had a little over 200 yards to the hole for her second shot and hit a 5 iron to 25 feet from the pin. She drained the long putt for the eagle.

Fassi hit one of her best drives of the day on No. 7 and left herself an 8 iron to the hole. She hit it close to the pin and tapped in for the second eagle of the round.

Kim played her way in through the Monday qualifier and finished her first appearance at the event with rounds of 70-72=142. She, along with the other Razorback players, began the day on the 10th hole and played the back nine 1-over finishing with seven consecutive pars before the turn.

Lewis and Lopez finished the day tied at 42nd overall and advance to Sunday’s final round. They took different paths to their position with Lewis carding a 1-over 72 on Saturday while Lopez shot a 4-over 75.

Lopez grabbed the tournament lead after the first round firing an 8-under 63. She is in the clubhouse with a 138. Lewis and Lopez had three birdies each on Saturday.

Fassi and Kim will begin preparations for the upcoming Palmer Cup which takes place July 6-8, at Evian Resort Golf Club in France.