Albert Lea golfer Kelli Hanson didn’t think she had a chance of breaking 90 Tuesday at the state golf tournament, few would after she posted a front nine 50, but she composed herself on the back nine to turn in the fourth-lowest score on the second nine.

Hanson’s goal for the day was to break 90, something she was unable to do at last year’s tournament. She finished with an 89 and overcame a unusual front nine to finish in a tie for 29th place overall at the Class 3A tournament at Bunker Hills Golf Course in Coon Rapids. The first round leader is Gretchen Huhnerkoch, of Burnsville, who shot a 2-over 75.

“She was hitting good shots and not able to score because she would have one silly little shot,” said Albert Lea head coach Shawn Riebe.

The first two holes started out badly for Hanson. On both holes she had to hit out of a divot and it proved disastrous each time as she carded a seven on No. 1 and a six on No. 2. She failed to make a par on the front.

“I just wanted to turn it around on the back because I knew the back was easier for me,” Hanson said. “I had a few bad breaks on the front nine. I kind of second guessed myself.”

She turned in a 3-over 39 on the back nine and accomplished her goal of breaking 90 even though it didn’t look possible after the front nine.

Hanson started the back nine with consecutive pars and went on to par a total of seven holes.

Hanson tees off at 12:07 p.m. Wednesday.