GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The eighth-ranked LSU women’s golf team opened up in a tie for fifth place after the first round of the spring opener Friday at the SunTrust Lady Gator Invitational at the University of Florida Golf Course.
The Tigers tallied in at 24-over par 312, tied with Furman for fifth. LSU is 12 strokes behind leader Auburn at 12-over par 300.
Alabama is five strokes back at 305 with Florida at 306. Central Florida is in fourth at 307.
LSU sophomore duo of Meredith Duncan of Shreveport and Tina Howard of New Zealand led LSU in scoring on the opening day with 5-over 77s.
Howard was making her 1999-2000 debut after sitting out the fall following tendon surgery. Howard had 14 pars in her round, tied for most in the round.
Duncan and Howard are tied for 16th on the individual leader board. Jennifer Perri of Furman is the individual leader at 3-under 69.
LSU junior Katy Wilkinson posted a 6-over 78 and Kenner senior Lisette Lee rounded out the counting scores with an 8-over 80.
“It appeared to be a typical first round after a long break,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. “But we are still in a decent position. We just have to focus in now, learn from what happened in the first round and get things done the way we have in the past.”
The 54-hole tournament continues through Sunday.
SunTrust Lady Gator Invitational
University of Florida Golf Course — Gainesville, Fla.
Team Results (Par 280) 1. Auburn 300 +12; 2. Alabama 305 +17; 3. Florida 306 +18; 4. Central Florida 307 +19; 5. LSU 312 +24; 5. Furman 312 +24; 7. South Carolina 313 +25; 8. Ole Miss 316 +28; 8. South Florida 316 +28; 10. Arkansas 317 +29; 11. Mississippi State 318 +30; 12. Vanderbilt 320 +32; 13. Florida State 321 +33; 14. Miami 324 +36; 15. Kentucky 331 +43.
Individual Results (Par 72) 1. Jennifer Perri, Furman, 33-36 — 69 -3; 2. Paul Carter, Alabama, 38-34 — 72 E; 2. Kristy McPherson, S. Carolina, 33-39 — 72 E; 4. Brittany Straza, Florida, 38-35 — 73 +1; 5. Courtney Swaim, Auburn, 37-37 — 74 +2; 5. Celeste Troche, Auburn, 37-37 — 74 +2; 5. Kristy Kortuem, Arkansas, 37-37 — 74 +2; 5. Monica Gundersrud, Central Florida, 38-36 — 74 +2.
LSU Results
t16. Meredith Duncan 39-38 — 77 +5
t16. Tina Howard 39-38 — 77 +5
t24. Katy Wilkinson 38-40 — 78 +6
t37. Lisette Lee 41-39 — 80 +8
t74. Lindy Hitdlebaugh 41-45 — +86