TEMPE, Ariz. — The eighth-ranked LSU women’s golf team posted an even-par round Friday in the second round of the NCAA West Regional championship at the Karsten Golf Course on the LSU campus.
The Lady Tigers have shot lower rounds this year than the 288 they posted in the 100 degree heat, but there may not be another one as important or as timely as this one.
Until Saturday’s final round.
LSU put itself in good position to advance to the NCAA Division I Women’s Championship for the second straight year and for the third time in the last four years moving from 12th to sixth by staying at seven-over par after 36 holes. The Lady Tigers must finish in the top eight to advance after the completion of play on Saturday.
What made the round even more impressive in the five plays, four count event is that the Lady Tigers had no margin for error after Tessa Teachman was forced to withdraw late in the first nine holes as she continued to struggle with a minor illness in the heat.
But the remaining Lady Tigers played the improved golf on a course they are beginning to feel comfortable on, something Coach Karen Bahnsen predicted would happen on Thursday.
Jacqueline Hedwall and Amalie Valle both posted even par scores, while Caroline Martens was three-over par. First-team All-SEC selection Megan McChrystal had the round of the day with another of her no-bogey rounds that included three birdies for a 69.
“They fought hard,” said Bahnsen. “They are tired, but they are proud of what they did. They settled back down and really got it going (Friday). We’re going to get them some food and get them to bed and ready for Saturday.”
Bahnsen said the combination of the medicine and the heat left Teachman dehydrated and it was obviously the thing that needed to be done to remove her from the round. She is still allowed to start the Saturday round if she feels like it, but LSU could be in a situation where it will again have to go with four players.
Host Arizona State continues to have a big lead at 20-under after 36 holes 556, followed by Southern California at four-under 572 and UC Irvine at three-under 573. Texas is fourth at 578, with TCU fifth at 582, one shot ahead of LSU at 583 (295-288). Arkansas is tied for the final two qualifying positions with Texas A&M at nine-over 585. Just outside the qualifying window are Arizona and California at 588.
McChrystal jumped 34 spots in the standings from a tie for 44th place to a tie for 10th at one-under 143 (74-69) and Hedwall is tied for 13th at even par 144 after rounds of 72-72.
The top 12 teams will play the morning wave on Saturday that could decide the eight qualifying spots barring a sensational round by one of the lower teams. Last year, LSU advanced on the first hole of sudden death in a playoff for the eighth and final spot. The round starts at 9 a.m. CDT (7 a.m. local time) with live scoring on LSUsports.net through Golfstat.com.
NCAA WEST WOMEN’S REGIONAL
Tempe, Ariz.
Second Round Team Results (288-876)
1. Arizona State 273-283 ? 556 -20; 2. Southern California 289-283 ? 572 -4; 3. UC Irvine 289-284 ? 573 -3; 4. Texas 288-290 ? 578 +2; 5. TCU 289-293 ? 582 +6; 6. LSU 295-288 ? 583 +7; 7. Arkansas 289-296 ? 585 +9; 7. Texas A&M 288-297 ? 585 +9; 9. Arizona 288-300 ? 588 +12; 9. California 291-297 ? 588 +12; 11. Pepperdine 294-300 ? 594 +18; 12. Oregon 299-298 ? 597 +21; 13. San Francisco 294-304 ? 598 +22; 14. San Jose State 299-305 ? 604 +28; 15. Northern Arizona 299-309 ? 608 +32; 15. Baylor 299-309 ? 608 +32; 17. Long Beach State 299-310 ? 609 +33; 18. UNLV 299-313 ? 612 +36; 19. Colorado 309-308 ? 617 +41; 19. Oral Roberts 312-305 ? 617 +41; 21. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 315-303 ? 618 +42.
Second Round Individual Top 5 (Par 72-144)
1. Carlota Ciganda, Arizona State, 67-68 ? 135 -9; 2. Jane Chin, UC Irvine, 67-69 ? 136 -8; 2. Belen Mozo 66-70 ? 136 -8; 4. Juliana Murcia, Arizona State, 68-70 ? 138 -6; 5. Jennifer Song, Southern California, 72-67 ? 139.
LSU Scores
T10. Megan McChrystal 74-69 ? 143 -1
T13. Jacqueline Hedwall 72-72 ? 144 E
T26. Amalie Valle 74-72 ? 146 +2
T53. Caroline Martens 75-75 ? 150 +6
—. Tessa Teachman 76-WD — WD