KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The LSU women’s golf team came out with a strong first round Friday to stand in a tie for fourth place, five shots out of first place at the Mercedes-Benz Women’s Championship at the Gettysvue Polo, Golf and Country Club.
The Lady Tigers posted a first-day total of 10-over par 298, tied with Auburn for first place. Duke moved to the top of the 14-team leader board late in the round with a 5-over 293. Georgia was second at 6-over 294, while Purdue is one-shot ahead Auburn and LSU at 9-over 297. Michigan State’s 299 is good enough for sixth after the first round of the 54-hole event which runs through Sunday.
LSU Senior and United States Women’s Amateur Champion, Meredith Duncan, birdied the 18th hole on Friday to finish at even-par 72 to lead the Lady Tigers. The Shreveport native is in a tie for sixth place as one of nine total players at even par or under on the opening day. Leigh Anne Hardin of Duke led the individual competition with a 5-under par 67.
The Lady Tigers got strong play from the bottom par of its lineup as Lindy Hitdlebaugh, a senior from Gretna, and Dallas freshman Brook Shelton both fired 3-over 75s to finish in a tie for 17th overall, while Greer, S.C. sophomore put a 4-over 76 on the board with a birdie at 18 to finish in a group tied for 26th.
“I am very pleased with the way we put this round together when our No.2 player (Isabel Dornellas) is struggling,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. “I felt we learned a lot at the Fall Preview and we get that going (Friday). We are in a very good position against a lot of good teams and need to come back Saturday and get another grind-it-out round like that.”
Weather could be a factor on the weekend for the tournament over the hilly terrain as there is a 50 percent chance of rain Saturday and an 80 percent chance of wet stuff on Sunday.
Mercedes Benz Women’s Championships
Knoxville, Tenn.
Team Results (Par 288)
1. Duke 293 +5; 2. Georgia 294 +6; 3. Purdue 297 +9; 4. LSU 298 +10; 4. Auburn 298 +10; Michigan State 299 +11; 7. Tennessee 302 +14; 8. Northwestern 304 +16; 9. Memphis 307 +19; 10. Nevada 308 +20; 11. Florida 311 +23; 12. South Carolina 317 +29; 13. Alabama 320 +32; 14. Furman 322 +34.
Individual Top 5 (Par 72)
1. Leigh Ann Hardin, Duke, 67 -5; 2. Allison Fouch, Michigan State, -3; 3. Kingsley Barrett, Auburn, 70 -2; 3. Summer Sirmons, Georgia, 70 -2; 5. Kari Damron, Purdue, 71 -1.
LSU Results
t6. Meredith Duncan 72 E
t17. Lindy Hitdlebaugh 75 +3
t17. Brook Shelton 75 +3
t26. Devon Day 76 +4
t61. Isabel Dornellas 82 +10