COLUMBIA, S.C. — LSU women’s golfer Meredith Duncan grabbed a share of the first round lead here Friday at the University Club on the opening day of the Lady Gamecock Classic.
Duncan, a junior from Shreveport, La., was one of four players to tour the 5,900-yard layout in even par 72. Duncan rallied on the back nine to shoot two under 34 after a two-over 38 on the front side. She is tied with Jennifer Perri of Furman, Lina Thoren of Mississippi State and Angela Jerman of Georgia.
Duncan, entering the tournament, was ranked 16th in the nation in the GolfWeek/Sagarin performance ratings.
As a team, LSU got three strong scores and stands in third at 13-over par 301, two shots out of second place, held by Duke at 299. Georgia is the leader of the tournament with a seven-over 295. LSU in third is five shots better than Mississippi State at 306, with Wake Forest at 308 in fifth.
Besides, Duncan, the Tigers used a one-over round from South Bend, Ind., senior Katy Harris, who is in a group tied for fifth at 73. Harris entered the tournament ranked 13th in the nation in the Sagarin ratings.
LSU senior Lesley McClurg is in a group tied for 11th at three-over 75. The final counting score came on an 81 by sophomore Erin Sarver.
“We were overall pleased with the round, especially the scores Meredith, Katy and Lesley turned in,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. “The weather settled in to a very comfortable day and our scores on the back nine reflected that. We are in the hunt of this thing and just need to get four scores together to help us stay in this tournament.”
On the back nine, Duncan, Harris and McClurg were a combined 3-under par.
The 54-hole tournament continues through Sunday.
LADY GAMECOCK CLASSIC
The University Club – Columbia, S.C.
Team Results (Par 288)
1. Georgia 295 +7; 2. Duke 299 +11; 3. LSU 301 +13; 4. Mississippi State 306 +18; 5. Wake Forest 308 +20; 6. South Carolina 309 +21; 7. Florida 311 +23; 8. Alabama 315 +27; 9. Furman 316 +28; 10. North Carolina 317 +29; 11. Ole Miss 343 +55.
Individual Top 5 (Par 72)
1. Jennifer Perri, Furman, 35-37 72 E; 1. Meredith Duncan, LSU, 38-34 – 72 E; 1. Lina Thoren, Miss. St., 37-35 – 72 E; 1. Angela Jerman Georgia, 36-36 – 72 E; 5. Summer Sirmons, Georgia, 39-34 – 73 +1; 5. Katy Harris, LSU, 38-35 – 73 +1; 5. Brittany Straza, Florida, 37-36 – 73 +1; 5. Leigh Anne Hardin, Duke, 37-36 – 73 +1.
LSU Results
T1. Meredith Duncan 38-34 – 72 E
T5. Katy Harris 38-35 – 73 +1
T11. Lesley McClurg 39-36 – 75 +3
T38. Erin Sarver 40-41 – 81 +9
T45. Isabell Dornellas 42-41 – 83 +11