Familiar (last) name atop leaderboard at Michigan Women’s Open

Chelsea Dantonio will take a one-shot lead into Wednesday’s final round of the Michigan Women’s Open.

Dantonia, of East Aurora, N.Y., shot 5-under-par 67 in Tuesday’s second round at Crystal Mountain for a 36-hole total of 2-under 142, leaving her one shot clear of Crystal Wang of Los Angeles, a fifth-year senior at the University of Illinoi who shot 70 in the second round.

They are the only two golfers in the field of 74 who are under par entering Wednesday’s final round of the $40,000 event. But 15 players are within five shots of the lead.

One of the questions Dantonio has been getting this week is if she’s related to former Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio.

“Everyone up here has asked me that,” she said. “I have an Uncle Mark, but he’s not that Mark Dantonio.”

Dantonio, 24, played college golf at Winthrop University in South Carolina. She struggled with her putting in an opening-round 75 Monday before getting hot on the greens in the second round.

“This just gives me a push forward and will help me get going,” she said. “I’ve been getting down on myself, but the putter was hot and I think that’s what it comes down to a lot of the time, especially when shooting lower scores.”

Wang took advantage of some fortunate shots to move into second place. They included a 60-foot birdie putt on the par-3 second hole.

Whether she turns pro after college is still up in the air. But she’s looking forward to the final round of the Women’s Open.

“I like playing with really competitive people so it’s going to be a fun, fun day,” said Wang, 21. “I didn’t have a goal. I just came to have fun and play as well as I can.”

Indiana’s Jocelyn Bruch, who had a hole-in-one during the first round, is one of four players tied for third at 145 after she shot 71.

Mini-tour pros Adeena Wilcox of Mineral Wells, West Va., a former Ohio State golfer who shot 72, Jessica Welch of Thomasville, Ga., who shot 73, and first-round leader Sandra Angulo Minarro of Mexico, who shot 78 are also tied for third.

Michigan State assistant coach Caroline Ellis shot 73 to share seventh place at 146.

The winner will take home $7,000.

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