AUBURN, Ala. – Sunday proved to be a difficult day at the Evans Derby Experience as no team in the field shot under par. No. 13 Auburn finished the day at 15 over and is currently in 7th place on the team leaderboard at 17 over through the first two rounds of the tournament.
"It was kind of a rough day, "Auburn head coach Melissa Luellen said. "I think we just have to take everything that we learned today about the course and save a shot every nine holes. If all of our players save a shot every nine holes, then we move up the leaderboard and we would be eight shots better. I know that it's out there."
The highlight of the day was sophomore Julie McCarthy, who continued her torrid pace this spring with a 1-under 71 on Sunday. McCarthy, who birdied two holes and also made eagle on the par-5 eighth, is in a tie for third overall heading into Monday's final round.
It was another strong round from Elena Hualde Zúñiga as the junior shot a 75 (+3) and is currently tied for 25th on the player leaderboard at 4 over.
In total, Auburn has five golfers in the top 50 with McCarthy, Zúñiga, freshmen Brooke Sansom and Chandler Rosholt, and junior Mychael O'Berry. Sansom struggled Sunday after shooting a team-low 69 in the first round but is still in a tie for 31st. Meanwhile, Rosholt and O'Berry each turned in a 76 (+4) in the second round. Rosholt, who is playing as an individual, is tied for 42nd while O'Berry is in a tie for 48th.
Junior Kayley Marschke, also playing as an individual this weekend, made the top 60 after shooting a 77 (+5) for the second straight day.
The Tigers are hoping for better conditions in Monday's final round, but they know that good or bad the experience of playing at Saugahatchee Country Club (Par 72, 6,250 yards) will only help prepare them for the NCAA Regional, which will be held at the same course.
"We're really preparing, playing, and learning the golf course to get ready for the NCAA Regional," Luellen said. "Tournament conditions are always different than practice, so to have the opportunity to learn about the course in competitive situations is really good.
"I think the golf course is winning right now, but I think the golf course is going to be a great golf course for the regional championship."
Texas leads the field at 3-over par (579), followed by Duke (582), Arkansas (584), Florida State (585), Kent State (590), Florida (592), Auburn (593), Baylor (594), Mississippi State (598), South Carolina (598), Clemson (601), Ole Miss (601), Louisville (608) and Alabama (614).
All 14 teams will tee off at 8:15 a.m. CT in Monday's third and final round, and Auburn will be paired with Baylor, Florida and Kent State. Live scoring can be found on Golfstat.com.
Team Standings
1. Texas -- 579 (+3)
2. Duke -- 582 (+6)
3. Arkansas -- 584 (+8)
4. Florida State -- 585 (+9)
5. Kent State -- 590 (+14)
6. Florida -- 592 (+16)
7. Auburn -- 593 (+17)
8. Baylor -- 594 (+18)
T9. Mississippi State -- 598 (+22)
T9. South Carolina -- 598 (+22)
T11. Clemson -- 601 (+25)
T11. Ole Miss -- 601 (+25)
13. Louisville -- 608 (+32)
14. Alabama -- 614 (+38)
Auburn Individuals
T3. Julie McCarthy – 72, 71 (-1)
T25. Elena Hualde Zúñiga – 73, 75 (+4)
T31. Brooke Sansom – 69, 81 (+6)
T42. Chandler Rosholt – 75, 76 (+7), ind.
T48. Mychael O'Berry – 76, 76 (+8)
T60. Kayley Marschke – 77, 77 (+10), ind.
80. Anika Bolcíková – 80, 81 (+17), ind.
81. Kaleigh Telfer – 82, 81 (+19)