March 23, 2007
ATHENS, Ga. - The fourth-ranked Auburn women's golf team shot a opening-round 293 to take the early lead in the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic, played at the par 71, 6,260-yard University of Georgia Golf Course in Athens, Ga. Junior Margaret Shirley had the low round among the Tigers, making birdie on the last two holes to card an even-par 71 and finish the day tied for second.
"We had a good day," Auburn head coach Kim Evans said. "We were playing on a newly renovated course, and it was everyone's first look at it. Because it's a new course, it plays hard and fast and doesn't hold shots very well. I was pleased with how Margaret was able to come back on the back nine. We need to stick to that game plan as a team tomorrow if we want to contend for the title on Sunday."
The Tigers lead by four strokes over Michigan State (297), seven strokes over Florida (300) and eight strokes over LSU (301). South Carolina (302) rounds out the top five after day one.
Behind Shirley, Nicole Hage is in a three-way tie for eighth at 2-over, while Candace Schepperle is tied for 11th at 3-over. Abigale Schepperle is only one stroke behind her sister in a tie for 21st at 4-over, and Marisa Milligan is tied for 40th at 6-over. Mariana Macias, who is playing this weekend as an individual, shot a 9-over 90 and currently sits in a tie for 67th.
The Tigers will return to the links at 9:40 a.m. Saturday and will play the round with Michigan State and Florida. Live results are available at www.golfstat.com and a full recap of the second round can be found at www.auburntigers.com at the conclusion of play.