Auburn opens big lead during opening round of Liz Murphey

ATHENS, Ga. – Auburn has opened an impressive 11 shot lead through round one of the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic in Athens, Georgia. The Tigers finished the day with a team score of 277 (-11) to take the team lead through the opening 18 holes. Auburn's Katie Cranston, Elina Sinz and Casey Weidenfeld each fired a 3-under 69 and are all currently tied for the individual lead for the tournament.

"Always like to start the first day of a tournament strong," Auburn head coach Melissa Luellen said after the round. "Our course management and putting were excellent. Every player was locked in on their strategy for the par 5s, which is key to being successful on this golf course."
Sinz's round got off to a very quick start, as she recorded five birdies on her opening nine holes to make the turn at 4-under. The junior's opening round ties her lowest 18-hole score season and marks her fifth round under par this season.

Cranston's caught fire during her opening nine, as the freshman recorded five birdies in her last six holes to close out the nine. Friday's round is Cranston's second time breaking 70 since joining the team in January. Weidenfeld also tied her teammates with a round of 69, which featured five birdies on her scorecard. Three of the five birdies occurred on par 3s, helping Weidenfeld lead the field in par three scoring at 3-under. 

Just a stroke behind the trio of Tigers leading the tournament, senior Megan Schofill recorded a 70 (-2) and is in a tie for fifth place on the individual leaderboard. The senior picked up four birdies during Friday's round and now leads the team in total birdies this season with 68. Schofill, Cranston and Sinz are all in a tie for the lowest par five scoring at 3-under par.

As a team, Auburn played the back nine at UGA Golf Course at 12-under par and leads the field in par three, par four and par five scoring. The Tigers also lead the field in birdies recorded with 24.

For the second round on Saturday, Auburn will be playing alongside players from Florida and Virginia beginning at 10 a.m. CT. Live scoring of the tournament will be available online at Golfstat.com or the GolfStat mobile app.
 
Auburn individuals:

 
Team Leaderboard: