Women’s golf off to a strong start
By Daily Bruin Staff
May 19, 2009 9:51 p.m.
The second-ranked UCLA women’s golf team finished its first day of the NCAA Championships in second place, two shots back of tournament leader Denver.
The Bruins as a team shot 296 (+8) on the day and finished three shots ahead of North Carolina (+11) and well in front of conference rivals USC (+13) and top-ranked Arizona State (+14), who both finished in the top five overall.
The Bruins enjoyed equally solid contributions from all five team members, each of whom finished at three-over par or better.
Freshman Stephanie Kono led the way for the Bruins, shooting a 73 (+1) that put her in a tie for seventh place overall. Kono struggled on the first 14 holes, shooting four-over par, but recovered as she finished the round, posting a score of three-under par on the final four holes.
Sophomore Glory Yang and senior Tiffany Joh ended the opening round tied for 12th after posting scores of 74 (+2).
Junior Sydnee Michaels and sophomore Maria Jose Uribe rounded out the field for the Bruins, shooting rounds of 75 (+3).
Uribe, who will leave UCLA after this season to return home to Colombia, shot an uncharacteristic five bogies on the day but also had two birdies to take her to three-over par overall.
UCLA played the par-5 17th hole particularly well throughout the day, shooting four-under par as a team on the 454-yard hole. Uribe and Kono both made birdies there, and Michaels eagled the hole.
North Carolina’s Catherine O’Donnell and Denver’s Stephanie Sherlock both shot a two-under par 70 to share the lead after the first day of competition.
UCLA will tee off to begin its second of four rounds at the Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, MD. today at 4:30 a.m. PST.
The NCAA Championships will conclude on Friday.
A year ago, the Bruins finished second to USC in the championships.
Compiled by Matt Stevens, Bruin Sports senior staff.
