SAN JOSE DEL CABO, Mexico – After climbing to top the of the leaderboard in the first round, the question going into round two was how would No. 22 Auburn play with a lead?
The Tigers answered that in resounding fashion Saturday, shooting a 6-under 278 in the second round at Club Campestre (par 71; 6,202 yards). They now hold a 10-stroke advantage over the rest of the field heading into Sunday's third and final round.
"It was a really solid day," Auburn head coach Melissa Luellen said. "Julie [McCarthy] finished her round in a solid manner as she has been struggling a bit lately with that. Kaleigh [Telfer] played very solid despite starter her round with a bogey. Brooke [Sansom] can get up and down from anywhere, so never count her out.
"The goal tomorrow is to win the day and stick to the game plan – shot by shot."
Aside from the early bogey, it was another solid round from Telfer, who made four birdies and finished with a 2-under 69 for the second consecutive day. The sophomore now has eight birdies through the first two rounds and currently leads the field at 4-under for the tournament.
However, the low score Saturday went to McCarthy with a career-best round of 67 (-4). The sophomore made five birdies on the day, including three straight on holes 11-13, and is now tied for 5th overall. Sansom also set a new career-low with a 70 (-1) in the second round. The freshman, who made Auburn's lone eagle Friday, moved up into a tie for 10th.
Between those three, Elena Hualde Zúñiga (T-13) and Mychael O'Berry (T-17), all five players in Auburn's lineup are currently in the top 20 overall. Zúñiga shot a 72 (+1) on Saturday, and O'Berry turned in a 75 (+4). They each finished the round with two birdies apiece.
Competing as an individual at the event, freshman Anika Bolcíková shot a 78 (+7) for the second straight day. She is currently tied for 66th.
Auburn leads the field at three-under par (278), followed by Vanderbilt (575), Clemson (581), Texas (581), Oklahoma (584), TCU (585), Missouri (587), Mississippi State (588), Houston (599), Virginia (600), Tulane (606), Baylor (607), New Mexico (612), Denver (615), Iowa (627), Tulsa (629) and UAB (631).
The Tigers will be paired with Vanderbilt, Clemson and Texas for the third and final round, and the group will tee off Sunday at 10:30 a.m. CT. Live scoring can be found on BirdieFire.com.
Team Standings
1. Auburn -- 565 (-3)
2. Vanderbilt -- 575 (+7)
3. Clemson -- 581 (+10)
4. Texas -- 581 (+10)
5. Oklahoma -- 584 (+16)
6. TCU -- 585 (+17)
7. Missouri -- 587 (+19)
8. Mississippi State -- 588 (+20)
9. Houston -- 599 (+31)
10. Virginia -- 600 (+32)
11. Tulane -- 606 (+38)
12. Baylor -- 607 (+39)
13. New Mexico -- 612 (+44)
14. Denver -- 615 (+47)
15. Iowa -- 627 (+59)
16. Tulsa -- 629 (+61)
17. UAB -- 631 (+63)
Auburn Individuals
1. Kaleigh Telfer -- 69, 69 (-4)
T5. Julie McCarthy -- 75, 67 (E)
T10. Brooke Sansom -- 74, 70 (+2)
T13. Elena Hualde Zúñiga -- 73, 72 (+3)
T17. Mychael O'Berry -- 71, 75 (+4)
T66. Anika Bolcíková – 78, 78 (+14), ind.
'Solid day' helps Auburn extend lead at Battle at the Beach
Sophomore Julie McCarthy shot a new career-low round of 67 (-4) during Saturday's second round.