HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. — LSU senior women’s golfer Katy Harris, posted an even-par score and stands in fourth place, two shots out of the lead, after Tuesday’s first round of the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship being played here at the Mission Inn Golf Resort’s El Campeon Course.
Harris’ round helped the Tigers to a 16-over par total of 304 for the first day, good enough for a tie for 14th in a crowded leader board which finds Oklahoma State in front at 5-over par 293, while the Tigers are just six shots out of fourth held jointly by Georgia, Stanford and Texas. Defending champion Arizona is two shots ahead of LSU after a 302 round.
The LSU senior from South Bend, Ind., posted three birdies and three bogeys on the par-72 layout as the All-American candidate is on the verge of breaking LSU single season and career scoring average marks entering her final tournament. She appeared to show no signs of problems after a minor wrist injury suffered in the SEC Tournament, effected her play in the NCAA Regional two weeks ago.
Laura Moffat of UCLA has the individual lead at 3-under par 69, followed by Maria Boden of Oklahoma State and Lindsey Wright of Pepperdine. Both are at 2-under 70. Harris is in a group of 10 players including Reilley Rankin of Georgia and Celeste Troche of Auburn at even par.
“Considering last year we were 21st after the first day, I thought our round was very good,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen, taking the Tigers to the Championships for a school record fourth year. “Katy really got things going today and very easily could have been under par. Our little freshman (Isabel Dornellas) stepped it up big time (Tuesday) and if we can get everyone focused in (Wednesday), then we are going to do okay.”
Dornellas, from Rio De Janeiro, who joined the team at mid-year, posted a three-over 75 in her first NCAA competition and stands in a group tied for 32nd. LSU also counted on the opening day a 78 from junior Lindy Hitdlebaugh and a 79 from junior Meredith Duncan.
LSU played in the morning group which had mixed results. OSU’s lead held up against the afternoon onslaught of top-ranked Duke and Arizona, but several teams rallied in the afternoon to crack the top 10. But the first around appears to indicate that no team will run away and hide as Arizona did a year ago in Sunriver, Oregon.
The second round of the 72-hole tournament is scheduled for Wednesday with LSU to tee off in the afternoon wave.
NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, FLA.
Top 10 Individuals
1. Laura Moffat, UCLA, 69 -3
2. Maria Boden, Oklahoma State 70 -2
2. Lindsey Wright, Pepperdine, 70-2
4. Heather Dobbin, Kent State, 72 E
4. Katy Harris, LSU 72 E
4. Katherine Hull, Pepperdine 72 E
4. Candie Kung, USC, 72 E
4. Cheryl Lala, California, 72 E
4. Sasha Meding, New Mexico State 72 E
4. Virada Nirpathpongporn, Duke, 72 E
4. Reilley Rankin, Georgia, 72 E
4. Celeste Troche, Auburn, 72 E
4. Ursula Tuutti , New Mexico State, 72 E
LSU Scores
T4. Katy Harris 72 E
T32. Isabel Dornellas 75 +3
T73. Lindy Hitdlebaugh 78 +6
T83. Meredith Duncan, 79 +7
T93. Lesley McClurg, 80 +8
Team Scores
| Team | Score | Par | |
| 1. | Oklahoma State | 293 | +5 |
| 2. | UCLA | 295 | +7 |
| 3. | Southern California | 296 | +8 |
| T4. | Georgia | 298 | +10 |
| T4. | Stanford | 298 | +10 |
| T4. | Texas | 298 | +10 |
| T7. | Duke | 299 | +11 |
| T7. | Pepperdine | 299 | +11 |
| 9. | Auburn | 300 | +12 |
| 10. | New Mexico State | 301 | +13 |
| T11. | Arizona | 302 | +14 |
| T11. | California | 302 | +14 |
| 13. | San Jose State | 303 | +15 |
| T14. | Kent | 304 | +16 |
| T14. | LSU | 304 | +16 |
| T16. | Arizona State | 305 | +17 |
| T16. | Purdue | 305 | +17 |
| 18. | Tulsa | 307 | +19 |
| 19. | South Carolina | 308 | +20 |
| 20. | Michigan State | 310 | +22 |
| 21. | Ohio State | 313 | +25 |
| 22. | So. Florida | 314 | +26 |
| 23. | Washington | 315 | +27 |
| 24. | New Mexico | 318 | +30 |