Angie Rizzo, fortunate to return, finishes 1-over

The 25-year-old was making her first appearance on the LPGA Tour this season.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
VIENNA -- When Angie Rizzo walked off the 18th green Friday in the first round of the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic, few eyes were watching.
Not far away, Annika Sorenstam had drawn a huge crowd on her first tee at Squaw Creek Country Club as the Swede, still feeding off the aura stemming from her appearance on the PGA Tour, was preparing to begin her round.
Rizzo, 25, a native of Coon Rapids, Minn., saved par, signed a couple of autographs and walked to the scorer's tent with a smile.
Slowed by accidents
Two months ago, Angie Rizzo couldn't even walk 18 holes. Consider these baby steps.
"It's frustrating because I haven't been able to put in as much time on my game," Rizzo said. "But I'm happy to be back out here playing."
In a span of 13 months, Rizzo was involved in two car accidents. Both times, she was driving. Both times, it wasn't her fault.
Talk about bad luck.
Rizzo's first round Friday at Squaw Creek, where she carded a 1-over-par 73, was her first appearance on the LPGA Tour this season.
Who said Friday-the-13th was bad luck for everyone?
"I need a little luck to happen to me," said Rizzo, who injured her back, neck and shoulder in the accidents. "It's getting there. I'm just trying to get back to 100 percent."
A standout at the University of Oregon, Rizzo was even through nine holes Friday. Then she came to the par-4 10th hole. Sitting 129 yards out, Rizzo holed an 8-iron for eagle, getting her to 2-under.
"That got things going for a while," Rizzo said.
Because she still is recovering from the injuries, Rizzo begins to feel pain midway through her round, forcing her to take time out to stretch.
Coming down the stretch Friday, Rizzo lost focus. She bogeyed Nos. 14, 15 and 17 and had to save par from the fringe at 18 for her total.
"I played well, but I let it go," Rizzo said. "That's when I started feeling tight, and then I get errant off the tee."
Getting started
Rizzo turned professional in the summer of 2000 and became a rookie on the LPGA Tour last season.
"I worked so hard to get where I am, to finally live my dream on the LPGA Tour," Rizzo said.
But she played in only three events in 2002, two of which came after her April accident, resulting in "excruciating" pain on the golf course.
Now, Rizzo is set on making a comeback, finishing among the top 90 money winners on the LPGA Tour and gaining her card. That would make her a full-time player.
"I just have to keep going with it and not get frustrated when I get sore," she said. "I have to keep plugging away, and whatever happens, happens."
richesson@vindy.com