KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The going proved a little tougher for the LSU women’s golf team in the second round Saturday as they finished sluggishly to drop to seventh in the Mercedes-Benz Women’s Championship at the Gettysvue Polo, Golf and Country Club.
LSU’s four counting players played the final two holes, the most difficult on the course, in 9-over par to finish with an 18-over par round of 306.
That dropped LSU from a tie for third with three holes to play to its seventh place ranking in the field of 14 with a two-day total of 605, 29-over par.
Georgia moved head of Duke for the lead after shooting a 12-over par 300 in the second round. The defending NCAA champions stand at 18-over par 594, two shots ahead of Duke at 20-over 596 and Auburn and Purdue, tied for third at 21-over 597. Tennessee is in fifth six more shots back at 603 and Florida, who made the biggest jump of the day by shooting the best round of 5-over 293, is one shot ahead of LSU in sixth at 604.
LSU freshman Brook Shelton of Dallas, had a tremendous day, shooting even par 72 in the second round. Even par through the first four holes, Shelton turned at 3-under, twice had it to 4-under on the back nine before finishing at even par. With her 3-over 75 on Friday, her two day total of 3-over 147 stands in a tie for sixth in the individual competition.
Senior Meredith Duncan of Shreveport, is also in the top 10 after a second round 75 to go with a first-day 1-over 73 to stand at 4-over 148 and in a tie for eighth place.
There is a four-way tie for the individual crown after 36 holes with Kari Damron of Purdue, Leigh Anne Hardin of Duke, Tina Schneeberger of Tennessee and Summer Sirmons of Georgia all tied for the lead at 1-over 145.
LSU also counted a 5-over 77 from Lindy Hitdlebaugh, LSU’s senior from Gretna, and both Isabel Dornellas and Devon Day both shot 10-over 82s.
“The last two holes were our undoing on this day,” said LSU women’s golf coach Karen Bahnsen. “We were really sitting in good position and just lost our concentration a bit. I’m pleased with what Brooke and Meredith are doing on what is a very difficult and hilly course. Hopefully, the weather will let us play on Sunday and we can regain our form and improve our position.”
Mercedes-Benz Women’s Championships
Knoxville, Tenn.
Team Results (Par 288-576)
1. Georgia 294-300 +18; 2. Duke 293-303 – 596; 3. Auburn 299-298 – 597 +21; 3. Purdue 297-300 – 597 +21; 5. Tennessee 303-300 +27; 6. Florida 311-293 – 604 +28; 7. LSU 299-306 – 605 +29; 8. Northwestern 304-303 – 607 +31; 9. Michigan State 299-310 – 609 +33; 10. Furman 316-308 – 624 +48; 11. Memphis 307-318 – 625 +49; 12. Nevada 308-320 – 628 +52; 12. South Carolina 318-310 – 628; 14. Alabama 322-316 – 638.
Top 5 Individuals (Par 72-144)
1. Kari Damron, Purdue, 71-74 – 145 +1; 1. Leigh Anne Hardin, Duke, 67-78 – 145 +1; 1. Tina Schneeberger, Tennessee, 72-73 – 145 +1; 1. Summer Sirmons, Georgia, 70-75 – 145 +1; 5. Angela Jerman, Georgia, 74-72 – 146 +2.
LSU Results
t6. Brook Shelton 75-72 – 147 +3
t8. Meredith Duncan 73-75 – 148 +4
t24. Lindy Hitdlebaugh 75-77 – 152 +8
t50. Devon Day 76-82 – 158 +14
66. Isabel Dornellas 82-82 – 164 +20