HILTON HEAD, S.C. — LSU women’s golfer Meredith Duncan came up with a strong round of even par 72 to lead the LSU Tigers in the first day of the Golf World/Palmetto Dunes Invitational Friday at the Arthur Hills at Palmetto Hall Country Club.
Duncan, a nationally-ranked junior from Shreveport, is in a group tied for seventh place, four shots out of the individual lead held by Lorena Ochoa of Arizona at four-under 68.
The Lady Tigers as a team posted a 19-over par score of 307 and that wasn’t enough to keep pace with the women’s field as Duke posted a 4-under 284 to take the lead. LSU is 12th in the 12-team field.
Following Duke is Auburn at 291 with Texas at 292 in third and Tennessee and Arizona tied for fourth at 296.
South Bend, Ind., senior Katy Harris had a good day for LSU, firing a 3-over 75, but the Tigers had to count two 80 scores from Lesley McClurg and Lindy Hitdlebaugh. Harris is in a tie for 27th place.
“We’ve had team totals like that prove to be much better in the standings than today,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. “But we were unable to keep pace when some of the top teams were hovering around par for the day.”
The tournament continues through Sunday.
Golf World/Palmetto Dunes Invitational
Team Results (Par 72-288)
1. Duke 284 -4; 2. Auburn 291 +3; 3. Texas 292 +4; 4. Tennessee 296 +8; 4. Arizona 296 +8; 6. Southern California 298 +10; 6. Purdue 298 +10; 6. Stanford 298 +10; 9. Georgia 300 +12; 9. Arizona State 300 +12; 11. Pepperdine 302 +14; 12. LSU 307 +19.
Indvidual Top 5 (Par 72)
1. Lorena Ochoa, Arizona, 35-33 — 68 -4; 2. Young-A Yang, Tennessee 32-37 — 69 -3; 3. Candy Hannemann, Duke, 34-36 — 70 -2; 3. Maria-Garcia Estrada, Duke, 34-36 — 70 -2; 5. Hilary Homeyer, Stanford, 36-35 — 71 -1; 5. Courtney Swaim, Auburn, 36-35 — 71 -1.
LSU Results
t7. Meredith Duncan 37-35 — 72 E
t27. Katy Harris 36-39 — 75 +3
t52. Lesley McClurg 41-39 — 80 +8
t52. Lindy Hitdlebaugh 41-39 — 80 +8
60. Devon Day 46-43 — 89 +17