SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The 27th-ranked LSU women’s golf team opened with a good round of nine-over 297 and stands in a tie for fifth place, just four shots from the lead after the first round Sunday of the Lady Puerto Rico Classic at the Coco Beach Golf Club and Resort.
The Lady Tigers at 297 are tied with the University of Central Florida for fifth with first place at five-over 293 held by Alabama. The Crimson Tide is tied with TCU for the top spot going into Monday’s second round with Florida State and Arkansas at 296.
“I was pleased with the way we were able to start,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. “They are going to play a PGA Tour event here in about three weeks so the course is in excellent shape. It was very windy (Sunday) and we were able to handle it and put ourselves in a good position with good rounds all around. Now we need to take the first round and bring it into the second round Monday.”
LSU freshman Amalie Valle posted a one-over 73, one shot better than senior Rebecca Kuhn at 74. Junior Caroline Martens and freshman Megan McChrystal posted three-over 75s and senior Alexis Rather had a 77.
Arkansas star Stacey Lewis shot a four-under 68 for the individual lead with three other golfers tied for two-under 70. Valle is in a group tied for 11th place, with Kuhn tied for 17th.
The 54-hole tournament runs through Tuesday.
Lady Puerto Rico Classic
Coco Beach Golf Club and Resort
Team Results (Par 288)
1. Alabama 293 +5; 1. TCU 293 +5; 3. Florida State 296 +8; 3. Arkansas 296 +8; 5. LSU 297 +9; 5. UCF 297 +8; 7. Georgia 298 +10; 8. South Carolina 299 +11; 8. Kent State 299 +11; 8. Tennessee 299 +11; 8. Purdue 299 +11; 12. Michigan 302 +14; 12. Texas Tech 302 +14; 14. North Carolina State 308 +20; 14. Oklahoma 308 +20; 16. Wisconsin 313 +25; 17. Minnesota 315 +27; 18. Iowa State 316 +28.
Individual Top 5 (Par 72)
1. Stacey Lewis, Arkansas, 68 -4; 2. Caroline Westrup, Florida State, 70 -2; 2. Kira Meixner, Kent State, 70 -2; 2. Maude Aimee LeBlanc, Purdue, 70 -2. 5. Valentine Derrey, TCU, 71 -1; 5. Leigh Crosby, UCF, 71 -1.
LSU Scores
T11. Amalie Valle 73 +1
T19. Rebecca Kuhn 74 +2
T27. Megan McChrystal 75 +3
T27. Caroline Martens 75 +3
T51. Alexis Rather 77 +5