COLUMBUS, Ohio — The LSU women’s golf team finds itself right on the number to qualify to advance here Thursday following the first round of the NCAA East Regional Women’s Golf Championships at the Scarlet Course.
The Lady Tigers, ranked fifth in the latest national polls, fired a 15-over par 303 to stand in 11th place. But it is a tightly bunched 11th place as LSU is just eight shots out of the lead of Purdue at seven-over 295. Two other Big 10 schools, Ohio State and Northwestern, along with Central Florida, are tied for second at 299.
A total of 11 teams will advance to the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championships in Sunriver, Ore., in two weeks. LSU is in position to advance to the Championships, but must try to advance up in the standings on Friday to cement an advancement position.
LSU’s scores were strong up top in the opening round with Tina Howard, the sophomore from New Zealand, in a group tied for seventh at 1-over 73. Marcy Newton of North Carolina is the leader with a 5-under par 75.
LSU sophomore Meredith Duncan of Shreveport also had a solid start, posting a 2-over 74 to get in a group tied for 14th, and Kenner senior Lisette lee, had a 4-over 76 to stand in a group tied for 31st. LSU could not get a fourth score in the 70s and had to count an 80 from Gretna sophomore Lindy Hitdlebaugh to complete the team total.
“The scores turned out to be fairly low on the first day and the course was different from when we were here in October,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. “Our round was not all that bad and we are in a decent position as long as we continue with this on Friday. The teams are very tightly bunched and as we proved during the SECs, a big advancement in position can be made in a short
time. We just need all five girls playing together and focusing on the task at hand.”
Tulane, making its first regional appearance, finished in a tie for 20th at 29-over par 317, 14 shots out of the 11th qualifying spot. Meghan Bolger was the top Green Wave golfer at four-over 76 in the group tied for 33rd.
The 54-hole tournament continues through Saturday.
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NCAA EAST REGIONAL WOMEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Columbus, Ohio
First Round Team Results (Par 288)
1. Purdue 295 +7; 2. Ohio State; Northwestern; Central Florida 299; Michigan State 299 +11; 6. Florida, Duke; Tennessee, North Carolina 300 +12; 10. Auburn 301 +13; 11. LSU 303 +15; 12. Penn State 304 +16; 13. Indiana, South Carolina 306 +18; 15. South Florida 309 +21; 16. Wake Forest 310 +22; 17. Campbell 311 +23; 18. Kentucky 312 +24; 19. Georgia 316 +28; 20. Tulane, Furman 317 +29; 22. Vanderbilt 318 +30; 23. Mississippi State 322 +34; 24. Arkansas 323 +35.
Top 5 Individual (Par 72)
1. Marcy Newton, N. Carolina, 33-34– 67 -5; 2. Kari Damron, Purdue, 34-34 — 68 -4; 3. Kasey Gant, Michigan State, 34-36 — 70 -2; 4. Celeste Troche, Auburn, 35-36 — 71 -1; 5. Lisa Strom, Ohio State, 36-36 — 72 E; Elizabeth Burden, Northwestern, 36-36 — 72 E.
LSU Scores
t7. Tina Howard 38-35 — 73 +1
t14. Meredith Duncan 35-39 — 74 +2
t33. Lisette Lee 36-40 — 76 +4
t91. Lindy Hitdlebaugh 41-39 — 80 +8
t97. Katy Wilkinson 41-40 — 81 +9