JOHNS CREEK, Ga. -- Lizette Salas was in her happy place Thursday, and not just because she kept bogeys off her card at tough Atlanta Athletic Club and posted a 5-under 67 for a one-shot lead in the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.
Her game is rounding into form as the Solheim Cup approaches. That's a big deal to her, too.
But the broad smile went well beyond golf.
The COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on the 31-year-old Californian, dulling her usual spark and creating anxiety that she initially mistook for nerves.
"I really didn't like myself in 2020, and I think with the whole COVID and not being able to work and have golf as my outlet, that really hit hard," Salas said.