FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The only thing that slowed down the Auburn women's golf team Saturday at the NCAA Championship was the weather.
Auburn was on the back nine at 1 under for the day when play was suspended due to inclement weather in the area around Blessings Golf Club. Following a long delay, the second round was ultimately postponed and will resume Sunday. The Tigers will finish their round beginning at 10 a.m. CT.
The day was not lost for Auburn, though, thanks to a strong start. The Tigers made four birdies on the first two holes, including back-to-back birdies by junior Elena Hualde Zúñiga. They made nine total birdies on the front nine and climbed from 11th all the way to seventh at one point. They are currently tied for ninth.
"We started off making birdies from the very first couple holes," Luellen said. "There was not a lot of sleep last night – a pretty short night and a very early start with the first tee times going at 7 a.m. But they were wide awake. They were very determined. They respect the golf course. The scores and the conditions were not fun, but they're taking it like champs.
"We talked about some of the things they needed to clean up mentally, and they're not playing scared. And that's just huge. I think that's overcoming a big step right there."
Hualde Zúñiga (-1), Julie McCarthy (-1) and Kaleigh Telfer (-2) all shot under par through the first nine holes while teammate Mychael O'Berry bounced back from the first round with a 1-over 37 on the front nine. The sophomore, who was first to tee off for Auburn on Saturday, was still 1 over through 14 holes when play was halted.
Because of the weather, the stroke play portion of the tournament has now been shortened from 72 holes to 54 holes. All 24 teams and 12 individuals in the tournament will compete again on Monday in the third round, and then the field will be cut to the top eight teams, which will advance to match play on Tuesday.
Auburn Individuals (Round 1/2)
T9. Kaleigh Telfer -- 76/2 under thru 11 (+1)
T28. Julie McCarthy -- 78/1 under thru 12 (+4)
T85. Elena Hualde Zúñiga -- 81/1 over thru 13 (+9)
T85. Brooke Sansom -- 78/4 over thru 12 (+9)
T98. Mychael O'Berry -- 83/1 over thru 14 (+11)