Six months pregnant, Alexandra Austin takes early U.S. Women's Mid-Am lead after nearly making an ace

Success in USGA championships is nothing new for Alexandra Austin, competing in the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur for the fourth time. The 31-year-old insurance agent from Fairfax, Va., reached the quarterfinals a year ago. And while playing in the 2016 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball, Austin and Lauren Greenlief got to the semifinals.

But the type of success Austin enjoyed during the opening round of stroke play at Brae Burn Country Club in West Newton, Mass., was different. Topped by nearly making a hole-in-one on the 217-yard par-3 17th, Austin posted a two-under 70 to take the early stroke-play lead—all while playing six months pregnant.

“I hit 3-wood,” Austin said when asked about the near ace, which finished inches from the cup. “It was almost going in. I was like, Oh that’d be great, and then I can’t drink.”

Austin made three birdies on her inward nine and just one bogey on her round to post the lone score under par, as tricky conditions on a raw day in eastern Massachusetts had many struggling, with the scoring average for the 132-player field winding up 8.1 strokes over par. Even so, Austin was surprised her held up for the early lead.

“I didn’t really think it was going to be the low round,” she said. “I just hit it well tee-to-green and then made some putts whenever I could.”.

With the baby boy due in January, Austin’s practice routine has slowed a bit in recent months, but she has maintained a reasonable playing schedule. In June she finished tied for second at the Virginia Women’s Open.

Austin’s next closest pursuer is also no stranger to success in the Women’s Mid-Am. Kelly Chugg, winner in 2017 and runner-up twice, including last year, shot the next best score with a one-over 73.

Round 2 of stroke play takes played today with the top 64 players then advancing to match play with the championship match scheduled for Thursday.