TRINITY, Texas — LSU senior golfer Meredith Duncan, representing the United States, fired a 4-under par 68 Friday to move into second place in the women’s individual competition of The Spirit International Amateur golf event taking place at the Whispering Pines Country Club.
Duncan, the 2001 United States Women’s Amateur Champion from Shreveport, stands at 4-under 140 after two rounds (72-68) in the 72-hole event to trail Lorena Ochoa of Mexico (and the University of Arizona) by three shows. Ochoa followed Thursday’s 70 with a 5-under 67 on Friday to stand at 7-under 137.
Marta Pireto of Spain is tied with Duncan for second after shooting a 5-under 67 on the afternoon (73-67 – 140).
Duncan’s U.S. teammate Laura Myerscough, also of the University of Arizona, had an even par 72 and stands at 5-over 149 (77-72) for 36 holes.
In the team individual best ball competitions, the Mexican women’s team of Ochoa and Violeta Retamoza put a best ball 63 on the board Friday to stand after two days at 17-under 127. They are 3-shots better than Korea at
14-under 130. Thailand and the U.S. team of Duncan and Myerscough are tied for third at 8-under 136. The Americans posted a best-ball round of 5-under 67.
On the men’s side, the American team of Robert Hamilton and Casey Wittenberg dropped to seventh, despite a 5-under 67. They stand at 11-under par 133.
The margin from the Americans to first remains the same as after Thursday’s round, three strokes. The Swiss team posted a best ball of 65 and stands at 14-under (65-65 – 130).
In the overall international competition, the American men and women combined picked up two played to move to a tie for third at 19-under par (135-134 – 269) with Spain and Thailand. Mexico has the overall lead at 30-under after a 17-under round on Friday of 127 (131-127 – 258) with Korea three shots back at 27-under (261).
A total of 24 nations are taking part in the event which runs through Sunday.