March 4, 2016
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Auburn got off to a strong start Friday at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, shooting a first-round 296 (+12) to stand in eighth place through 18 holes.
It was the best team round in the last four tournaments for the Tigers and the fourth-best of the season to date. The Tigers are just six shots out of the top five with 36 holes remaining.
Senior Alex Harrell led the way Friday with a 1-over 72 at the par-71 Long Cove Club. Starting on the 10th tee, she had four bogeys and a birdie on the inward nine to make the turn at 3-over. But she got two shots back on the front side, carding birdies at Nos. 1, 5 and 7 to finish the day at plus-1. Harrell is currently tied for 16th place.
Sophomore Michaela Owen was only one shot back with a 73 (+2), her third 73 in four rounds this spring. After a rough start with three bogeys in four holes, she played her next five holes at 2-under with birdies at the 15th and 16th to make the turn at 1-over. She would then make two birdies along with three bogeys on the front side to finish off her round tied for 21st place.
Senior Jamie Yun also put together a solid round with a 3-over-par 74 that featured four bogeys along with one birdie, and sophomore Kelli Murphy shot a 77 (+6) for the Tigers' fourth counting score.
Alabama leads after one round at 6-under, followed by Virginia (-3) and Vanderbilt (-2). Three players are tied for the individual lead at 4-under.
Auburn will begin its second round at 7:30 a.m. CT on the first tee, paired with Tennessee and Southern California. Live scoring is available at golfstat.com.
Auburn Individual Results
T16. Alex Harrell ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 72 (+1)
T21. Michaela Owen ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 73 (+2)
T31. Jamie Yun ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 74 (+3)
T57. Kelli Murphy ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 77 (+6)
T82. Clara Baena ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 79 (+9)