LAFAYETTE, La., April 18, 2008 - South Korea’s M.J. Hur and Scotland’s Pamela Feggans dealt with inclement weather at different times, but the rookies turned in the top first-round score with a 5-under-par 67 to open the third edition of the Louisiana Pelican Classic on Friday. Hur was in the second group to tee off at 8:09 a.m., while Feggans was in the last group to take its first shot at 2:09 p.m.

Morning rainfall and developing wind couldn’t slow down Hur’s six-birdie onslaught. Feggans, a former All-American at Florida Southern, took advantage with two birdies on the back nine following an eagle to make the turn as the weather cleared.

Hur, a native of Seoul, South Korea, shifted into high gear on her last nine holes with her only blemish a bogey on the final hole. The two-time Korean National Amateur Championship winner said her comfort level and experience in Australia has helped her get off to a good start this year.

“My putting was really good today,” Hur said. “I tried really hard to concentrate throughout the day, especially since I was struggling on the front nine a little bit with shots.”

Hur came into Lafayette ranking seventh on the Duramed FUTURES Tour in putting, averaging 28.25 strokes per round.

“I didn’t think about weather,” Hur said. “My swing was solid and I was able to find my shot. In Australia, it was rainy and windy all the time.”

Feggans, a native of Patna, Scotland, chipped in with an eagle on the ninth hole and made the turn with back-to-back birdies on holes 14 and 15 to pull even with Hur.

“It was just like a summer’s day in Scotland,” Feggans said. “My putting was really good today. I was trying not to think about a low score, but when I was coming up the 18th green, I had butterflies in my stomach.”

Janell Howland, winner of the 2007 Louisiana Pelican Classic, posted a round of 70 (-2) to sit in a tie for eighth. Howland won the 2007 event by one stroke and was pleased with her start to defend her title. Howland said she has been sick since Monday and understood it would be a rough round.

“I hit the ball well even though I had a couple bad shots,” said Howland of Boise, Idaho. “There’s always going to be good scores, no matter what the weather is. As long as I went out there and stayed patient, I just had to go out and make some putts. I knew I could keep plugging along and get some opportunities and some of them are going to fall.”

Jenny Gleason of Clearwater, Fla., carded the Duramed FUTURES Tour’s third hole-in-one of the year on the 156-yard 13th hole and sits in sole possession of third after posting a 4-under par round of 68.

“I hit a 9-wood and the wind was blowing dead into our teeth,” Gleason said of her ace. “I was in between clubs and apparently I chose the right one. It bounced once and I saw it roll in.”

Overcast skies and scattered showers threatened the field in the morning and brought back a reminder of the rain-pelted AMERICAN SYSTEMS Invitational in Daytona Beach two weeks ago.

Tee-times for Saturday’s second round at The Wetlands in Lafayette will begin at 8 a.m. on the first and 10th tees.

For real-time scoring and more information, visit www.duramedfuturestour.com.

Weather: Scattered showers throughout the morning with a high of 80 degrees and winds blowing up 15 mph. Mostly cloudy in the afternoon with winds up to 20 mph.

Wigger Plans Return to McAllen

This year’s AMERICAN SYSTEMS Invitational champion Leah Wigger will return to the Duramed FUTURES Tour next week in McAllen, Texas. Wigger was in Daytona Beach on Friday at the LPGA International Golf Course to watch her alma mater, Virginia, take part in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship. 

“I really had to re-think whether to continue to do the Monday qualifying or jeopardize a top spot on the money list,” Wigger said. “My confidence is really high and I’m glad to be coming back.”

Wigger, a non-exempt member of the LPGA Tour, enjoyed watching the Cavaliers race out to a 10-stroke first-round lead over defending NCAA champion Duke.

“It’s always good to see former teammates and new faces,” Wigger said. “They had a bit of a rough year but they’re playing well and they’ll fight to the finish.”

LSU Grad Eaton Makes Season Debut

Former LSU collegian and South Africa native Melissa Eaton made her debut with the Duramed FUTURES Tour on Friday.

“I was pretty nervous out there today,” Eaton said. “You try to be competitive when you practice but it’s not the same. I could get around with the ball-striking but my putting was hideous.”

The Louisiana Pelican Classic marked her first tournament of the year, but Eaton intends to play again with the Duramed FUTURES Tour in June after competing in U.S. Open qualifiers.

Eaton played in Baton Rouge with her twin sister, Nicola.

Contact: Ben Schlesselman, 386-274-7096, Ben@duramedfuturestour.com.