FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Led by sophomore Julie McCarthy, who shot a collegiate-best round of 69 (-3), the No. 17 Auburn women's golf team had three players shoot under par in the first round of the Mason Rudolph Championship on Friday.
As a team, the Tigers shot 284 (-4) and are in fourth place after one round at the Vanderbilt Legends Club – North Course.
"It was a solid start to our season with an under-par round," Auburn coach Melissa Luellen said. "We did not finish strong as a team, and I know that will be a focus for tomorrow, especially since we will be playing 36 holes to try and get ahead of the weather. We look forward to more rounds in the red tomorrow."
This is only the seventh event McCarthy has played in while at Auburn, and the sophomore is currently tied for fifth on the overall player leaderboard. After a bogey on the second hole, she bounced back with an eagle on the fifth followed by three birdies on the front nine. She closed out her round with her fourth birdie of the day on 18.
The other two to shoot under par the first round were sophomore Kaleigh Telfer (-2) and junior Elena Hualde Zúñiga (-1). They made three birdies apiece, and both birdied the par-3 fifth. Both Telfer (T13) and Zúñiga (T18) are in the top 20 on the individual leaderboard.
Junior Kayley Marschke had plenty of highlights on the front nine with three birdies but faltered down the stretch with a triple bogey and three bogeys on four of the last five holes. She still finished tied for the team lead with four birdies and is tied for 38th after a round of 2-over par 74.
Sophomore Mychael O'Berry rounded out the Auburn contingent with a round of 76 (+4). She's currently in a tie for 61st overall.
Vanderbilt leads the field at 10-under par (278), followed by Arizona State (279), Clemson (283), Auburn (284), Wake Forest (288), Louisville (289), North Carolina (290), Houston (292), Michigan State (294), LSU (294), Missouri (295), Charlotte (296), Chattanooga (299), Mercer (301) and Middle Tennessee (303).
Due to a threatening weather forecast for the area Saturday afternoon/evening, the second round of the Mason Rudolph Championship will be a shotgun start beginning at 8:30 a.m. with the hope of completing 36 holes Saturday.
Team Standings
1. Vanderbilt -- 278 (-10)
2. Arizona State -- 279 (-9)
3. Clemson -- 283 (-5)
4. Auburn -- 284 (-4)
5. Wake Forest -- 288 (E)
6. Louisville -- 289 (+1)
7. North Carolina -- 290 (+2)
8. Houston -- 292 (+4)
T9. Michigan State -- 294 (+6)
T9. LSU -- 294 (+6)
11. Missouri -- 295 (+7)
12. Charlotte -- 296 (+8)
13. Chattanooga -- 299 (+11)
14. Mercer -- 301 (+13)
15. Middle Tennessee -- 303 (+15)
Auburn Individuals
T5. Julie McCarthy -- 69 (-3)
T13. Kaleigh Telfer -- 70 (-2)
T18. Elena Hualde Zúñiga -- 71 (-1)
T38. Kayley Marschke -- 74 (+2)
T61. Mychael O'Berry -- 78 (+6)