Hot weather helps Shepley stay focused, currently in 2nd at Marathon Classic

Jessica Shepley says she is more focused today at the Marathon Classic.

Jessica Shepley didn’t make the cut last weekend in an LPGA tournament in her native Canada. Yet she may have put herself in position to stay for the full four days of this weekend’s LPGA event.

Through the first round of the Marathon Classic today at Highland Meadows Golf Club, Shepley is tied for second with Lexi Thompson (5-under 66), behind Alison Walshe (6-under 65).

“I didn’t play great last week,” said Shepley, who is from Owen Sound, Ont. “I’ve been working hard and working on my swing a lot. I’m trying to stay patient, so I was hoping one of these rounds would come soon.”

Shepley, who played at the University of Tennessee, birdied six holes and had 27 putts in her first round.

“I haven’t really been in this position before,” Shepley said. “I have to do it once to get comfortable and to keep growing. So I’m happy with my round today.

“I was trying to stay in it and really stay focused because of the heat. Maybe that was a blessing in disguise, to have something else to worry about.”

Shepley will tee off at 12:45 p.m. Friday with Pernilla Lindberg and Brooke Pancake, her playing partners in today’s first round.