RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico – The seventh-ranked LSU women’s golf team got off to a good start on its spring journey to what they hope is another NCAA Tournament appearance, tying for first Sunday after the first round of the Lady Puerto Rico Classic at the River Course of the Rio Mar Country Club.
The Tigers and Georgia are tied after the opening round of six-over par 294 on the par 72 layout of this 54-hole tournament that continues through Tuesday.
The two SEC schools are two shots clear of Texas Tech at 296 and Arkansas fourth at 297, the only schools to break 300 in the opening round in the field of 15 teams.
Defending NCAA Champion, LSU sophomore Austin Ernst played a solid opening round of golf, posting one-under par 71 and that puts her in a second place tie in the individual competition with three other players including her to be Curtis Cup teammate, Emily Tubert of Arkansas. The leader of the tournament is Emilie Burger of Georgia who fired a six-under par 66.
The LSU team top to bottom was consistent with senior Tessa Teachman with a one-over 73 and senior Jacqueline Hedwall, sophomore Lindsay Gahm and freshman Madelene Sagstrom all had three-over 75s. Junior Katrina Hegge, participating as an individual, also shot one over 73 and stands with Teachman in a tie for eighth in the competition.
“It was a good start for our team,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. “We just need to take each hole as it comes and remain patient and we’ll have a good outcome.”
The second round is set for a 6 a.m. CST shotgun and live scoring is available on LSUsports.net through Golfstat.com. Follow LSU women’s golf on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LSUwomensgolf and on Twitter @LSUwomensgolf.
Lady Puerto Rico Classic
First Round Team Results (Par 288)
1. LSU 294 +6; 1. Georgia 294 +6; 3. Texas Tech 296 +8; 4. Arkansas 297 +9; 5. Oklahoma State 300 +12; 6. North Carolina State 302 +14; 7. TCU 305 +17; 7. Iowa State 307 +17; 7. Kent State 305 +17; 10. Northwestern 306 +18; 11. Nebraska 309 +21; 12. SMU 310 +22; 12. Michigan 310 +22; 12. Purdue 310 +22 15. Penn State 321 +33
Individual Top 5 (Par 72)
1. Emilie Burger, Georgia, 66 -6; 2. Mercedes Germino, Kent State, 71 -1; 2. Austin Ernst, LSU, 71 -1; 2. Emily Tubert, Arkansas, 71 -1; 2. Kelsey Vines, Oklahoma State 71 -1.
LSU Scores
T2. Austin Ernst 71 -1
T8. Katrina Hegge 73 +1
T8. Tessa Teachman 73 +1
T19. Jacqueline Hedwall 75 +3
T19. Lindsay Gahm 75 +3
T19. Madelene Sagstrom 75 +3