CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The LSU Lady Tigers made an 18-stroke improvement in their second round score and moved from 12th to eighth place after two rounds of the Lady Tar Heel Invitational here Saturday at the University of North Carolina Finley Golf Course.
The Lady Tigers along with the rest of the field were able to take advantage of somewhat better conditions as the rain held off until the end of the second round of the 54-hole event that concludes on Sunday.
LSU, after a 28-over 316 on Friday, improved to a 10-over 298 Saturday and stands at 38-over par 614 after two rounds. For the second straight day, the Lady Tigers are tied with host North Carolina as the Lady Tar Heels have also shot identical rounds of 316-298.
The nation’s top-ranked women’s team, Duke, posted an even-par round of 288 on the second day to stand at six-over 582 after 36 holes, four shots ahead of Auburn at 10-over 586. It’s five more back to Vanderbilt at 19-over par.
The Lady Tigers were bested by the even par 72 round of sophomore Rebecca Kuhn. Kuhn now stands at six-over 150 for 36 holes in a tie for 21st place in the individual competition. LSU also counted a two-over 74 from junior Melissa Eaton and four-over 76s from her twin sister Nicola and freshman Caroline Martens-Larson. Nicola Eaton is the next best in the individual standings after 36 holes in a tie for 29th.
“I’m pleased with the way the girls responded (Saturday), but it’s frustrating because we didn’t finish the round like we should have,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. “We gave a few strokes back at the end, but it’s a building point and hopefully we can continue this on Sunday.”
Ashley Knoll of Texas A&M set a women’s course record with a seven-under 65 on Saturday to easily move to the individual lead at eight-under 136 (71-65). She is five up on Maria Martinez of Auburn at three-under 141 (71-70). Chris Brady of Vanderbilt is third at one-under 143 (72-71).
Lady Tar Heel Results
Second Round Team Totals (Par 288-576)
1. Duke 294-288 — 582 +6; 2. Auburn 300-286 — 586 +10; 3. Vanderbilt 300-291 — 591 +15; 4. Wake Forest 302-293 — 595 +19; 5. Texas A&M 305-293 — 598 +22; 6. Virginia 300-303 — 603 +27; 7. Ohio State 309-296 — 605 +29; 8. LSU 316-298 — 614 +38; 8. North Carolina 316-298 — 614 +39; 10. Florida State 315-300 — 615 +39; 11. North Carolina State 305-311 — 616 +40; 12. Tulsa 312-305 — 617 +41; 13. Texas 307-312 — 619 +43; 14. Oklahoma State 328-293 — 621 +45; 15. Kentucky 323-302 — 625 +49; 16. Tennessee 321-307 — 628 +52; 16. South Carolina 325-303 — 628 +52; 18. North Carolina (B) 342-326 — 668 +92.
Individual Top 5 (72-144)
1. Ashley Knoll, Texas A&M 71-65 — 136 -8; 2. Maria Martinez, Auburn 71-70 — 141 -3; 3. Chris Brady, Vanderbilt 72-71 — 143 -1; 4. Amanda Blumenhest, Duke 72-72 — 144 E; 4. Leah Wigger, Virginia, 70-74 — 144 E.
LSU scores
T21. Rebecca Kuhn 78-72 — 150 +6
T29. Nicola Eaton 76-76 — 152 +8
T37. Melissa Eaton 80-74 — 154 +10
T60. Caroline Martens-Larsen 82-76 — 158 +14
T67. Kimberly Meck 82-77 — 159 +15