March 9, 2008
Orlando, Fla. - Auburn freshman Cydney Clanton turned in the second lowest 18-hole score in school history and is one stroke off the top spot after first round action at the UCF Challenge. The Tigers are tied for ninth with two days remaining at the par-72, 6,356-yard RedTail Golf Club.
Clanton finds herself one stroke off leader Alison Whitaker of Duke. Clanton turned in eight birdies on the day to score the second lowest 18-hole round in Auburn history, 6-under 66. The last person to score 66 was Maria Martinez in 2003. Clanton bogeyed on the first hole, as did Whitaker. Clanton had one other bogey on 15, which was the difference in scores.
No. 7 Auburn is tied for ninth after firing 4-over 292. No. 3 Southern California is the leader after shooting 7-under 281. No. 1 Duke is one stroke behind in second, while No. 18 Pepperdine is four strokes off the top spot in third.
Sophomore Candace Schepperle shot 2-over 74 and is tied for 46th. C. Schepperle was even through the front nine. She bogeyed on 11 and birdied on 17 and was back to even with one hole remaining. A double bogey on 18 put her at 74 for the day.
Junior Mariana Macias, senior's Abigale Schepperle and Margaret Shirley are all tied for 65th after firing 4-over 76. Macias was a 5-over after the front nine. She had two birdies and went to 3-over after 17, but she bogeyed on 18. A. Schepperle was 2-over through the front nine and a birdie on 11 put her at 1-over, but a back-to-back bogey and double bogey on 13 and 14 was the difference. Shirley had four bogeys on the day.
The second annual UCF Challenge will benefit the Florida Children's Hospital. The medalist from the 2008 UCF Challenge will receive a sponsor's exemption into the LPGA's Ginn Tribute hosted by ANNIKA May 26-June 1. Round two action begins at 8 a.m. ET Monday. Live results can be found on www.golfstat.com.