May 7, 2018
AUSTIN, Texas ââ'¬" An up-and-down day for the 19th-ranked Auburn women's golf team Monday saw the Tigers end up in eighth place through 18 holes at the NCAA Austin Regional.
The Tigers posted a first-round total of 292 (+4) at the University of Texas Golf Club, putting Auburn one shot out of a tie for sixth place. Auburn made the turn at 3-under par with eight birdies on its opening nine, but ran into some difficult holes on the second nine. "They came out ready to play," Auburn head coach Melissa Luellen said. "They were probably a little nervous but didn't show it. We hit fairways, hit greens and kept our emotions in check. We had a couple of storms out there, but one through five, we played really solid. It was really good to see that all five are in it, and in a regional, that's a really helpful and important factor."
Senior Kelli Murphy led the charge for Auburn in the opening round, turning in an even-par 72. She turned at 1-under after a pair of birdies on the back nine, then made birdie at the first hole (her 10th) to get to 2-under. A double-bogey dropped her back to even, but she made seven pars on the front side to finish her day in a tie for 23rd place.
Freshman Kaleigh Telfer and sophomore Elena Hualde each recorded rounds of 1-over 73. Telfer recorded four birdies on the day and bounced back from a rough start to her second nine to play her final six holes at 2-under. Hualde was even at the turn and made par on eight of nine holes on the front side to finish the day at 1-over.
A 2-over-par 74 from sophomore Kayley Marschke, which featured a pair of birdies on her first nine, was the Tigers' fourth counting score. Senior Michaela Owen carded a 76 (+4), but played her final 14 holes at even par after a pair of tough holes early in her round.
Tournament host Texas holds the first-round lead at 7-under, followed by Arkansas (-4) and Michigan State (-3). Baylor and Virginia are tied for fourth at even par, and BYU and Florida are one shot ahead of the Tigers, tied for sixth place at 3-over. The top six teams after 54 holes advance to next weekend's NCAA Championships.
It will be an all-SEC pairing on the first tee at 8 a.m. Tuesday as Auburn, Florida and Texas A&M will play together in the second round. Live scoring is available at golfstat.com, and fans can follow @AuburnWGolf on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for updates from the course.
First-round results from the NCAA Austin Regional, hosted by Texas at the University of Texas Golf Club (par 72, 6,341 yards) in Austin, Texas:
Team Standings
1. Texas ââ'¬" 281 (-7)
2. Arkansas ââ'¬" 284 (-4)
3. Michigan State ââ'¬" 285 (-3)
T4. Baylor ââ'¬" 288 (E)
T4. Virginia Tech ââ'¬" 288 (E)
T6. BYU ââ'¬" 291 (+3)
T6. Florida ââ'¬" 291 (+3)
8. Auburn ââ'¬" 292 (+4)
9. Texas A&M ââ'¬" 295 (+7)
T10. UTSA ââ'¬" 298 (+10)
T10. Miami ââ'¬" 298 (+10)
T12. Oklahoma ââ'¬" 299 (+11)
T12. East Carolina ââ'¬" 299 (+11)
T14. Texas Tech ââ'¬" 300 (+12)
T14. Houston ââ'¬" 300 (+12)
16. Houston Baptist ââ'¬" 301 (+13)
17. Georgetown ââ'¬" 302 (+14)
18. Missouri State ââ'¬" 318 (+30)
Auburn Individuals
T23. Kelli Murphy ââ'¬" 72 (E)
T32. Kaleigh Telfer ââ'¬" 73 (+1)
T32. Elena Hualde ââ'¬" 73 (+1)
T42. Kayley Marschke ââ'¬" 74 (+2)
T56. Michaela Owen ââ'¬" 76 (+4)