GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The 13th-ranked LSU women’s golf team opened with a round of 305 to place in a tie for seventh after the first round of the SunTrust Lady Gator Invitational here Friday at the University of Florida Golf Course.
The Lady Tigers, in their opening event of the spring season, posted a 17-over par score and is 13 shots out of the lead of Auburn, which posted a first-round 292 (four-over) score. Georgia is second at 293, one shot better than Alabama at 294.
The Tigers had all five players in the 70s in the first round of three on the par-72 course. Shreveport junior Meredith Duncan and South Bend, Ind., senior Katy Harris both posted 3-over par 75s and are in a group tied for 21st place. Lesley McClurg, the LSU senior from Redmond, Wash., posted a 5-over 77.
Both Gretna junior Lindy Hitdlebaugh and Brazil freshman, Isabel Dornellas, making her LSU debut, had 6-over 78.
Reilley Rankin of Georgia was the only player in the 17-team field under par, shooting a two-under 70. Five other players were at even par.
“I’m very pleased with this round, since it was our first since November,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. “We can be better and we know we can be better. But everyone was in the 70s and we can build on this the next two days.”
The tournament runs through Sunday.
SunTrust Lady Gator Invitational
Gainesville, Fla.
First Round Team Results (Par 288)
1. Auburn 292, +4; 2. Georgia 293 +5; 3. Alabama 294 +6; 4. Tennessee 297 +9; 5. Central Florida 302 +14; 6. Florida State 304 +16; 7. LSU 305 +17; 7. Vanderbilt 305 +17; 9. North Carolina 308 +20; 10. South Carolina 309 +21; 11. Arkansas 310 +22; 12. South Florida 311 +23; 12. Florida 311 +23; 14. Mississippi 312 +24; 15. Mississippi State 314 +26; 16. Wake Forest, 318 +30; 17. Kentucky 325, +37.
Individual Top 5 (Par 72)
1. Reilley Rankin, Georgia, 36-34 – 70 -2; 2. Kristy McPherson, S. Carolina, 37-35 – 72 E; 2. Laura Henderson, Georgia, 34-38 72 E; 2. Tai Perry, Tennessee, 35-37 – 72 E; 2. Celeste Troche, Auburn, 37-35 – 72 E; 2. Kim Tudor, Central Florida, 39-33 – 72 E.
LSU Scores
T21. Meredith Duncan 39-36 – 75 +3
T21. Katy Harris 39-36 – 75 +3
T33. Lesley McClurg 37-40 – 77 +5
T48. Isabel Dornellas 38-40 – 78 +6
T48. Lindy Hitdlebaugh 41-37 – 78 +6