GULF SHORES, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women's golf team extended its lead to 19 strokes and all five Jaguars remained in the top 10 after the second round of the Bama Beach Bash Saturday at the Gulf Shores Golf Club.
The Jaguars totaled 286 on the day, matching its first-round total and retaining the tournament lead. Siti Shaari and Julie Hovland remained first and second after recording rounds of 71 and 72, respectively. Madison Connell shot a one-under-par and jumped from T10 to fifth in the individual standings. MacKenzie Peyton climbed four spots to T6 with an even-par 72 effort. Lexi Worrell carded a five-over-par 77 and ranked tenth individually after two days of competition.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Event (Host): 2018 Bama Beach Bash (Alabama-Birmingham and South Alabama)
Dates: March 16-18 (Friday-Sunday)
Format: 54 holes (18/18/18)
Start Time: 8:30 a.m. (CST)
Course: Gulf Shores Golf Club (par 72, 6,002 yds)
Live Scoring
TEAM SCORES
1) South Alabama 286-286 – 572 (-4); 2) Georgia State 297-294 – (+15); 3) West Florida 306-305 – 611 (+17); 4) Southern Illinois 312-303 – 615 (+39); (5) Alabama-Birmingham 308-317 – 625 (+29); 6) North Carolina A&T 316-312 – 628 (+24); 7) Alabama State 320-316 – 636 (+28); 8) Lipscomb 342-331 – 673 (+43); 9) Union University (TN) 337-348 – 685 (+60); 10) Spring Hill 372-364 – 736 (+160)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
1) Siti Shaari, South Alabama, 69-71 – 140 (-4); 2) Julie Hovland, South Alabama, 70-72 – 142; T3) Chanelle Avaricio, Alabama State, 72-72 – 144; 4) Harmanprit Kaur, Georgia State, 72-73 – 145; 5) Madison Connell, South Alabama, 75-71 – 146; T6) Chloe Howard, Georgia State, 73-74 – 147; T6) MacKenzie Peyton, South Alabama, 75-72 – 147; T8) Hanna Netisingha, Southern Illinois, 75-73 – 148; T8) Paloma Vaccaro, West Florida, 72-76 – 148; 10) Lexi Worrell, South Alabama, 72-77 – 149
SOUTH ALABAMA SCORES
1) Siti Shaari, South Alabama, 69-71 – 140 (-4); 2) Julie Hovland, South Alabama, 70-72 – 142; 5) Madison Connell, South Alabama, 75-71 – 146; T6) MacKenzie Peyton, South Alabama, 75-72 – 147; 10) Lexi Worrell, South Alabama, 72-77 – 149
TEE SHOTS
-The Jaguars continued to lead in every team stats category. The lineup has totaled 114 pars, 30 birdies, and one eagle in the first two rounds. They also hold the lowest averages on par-3s (-2, 2.96 average), par-4s (+7, 4.09 average), and par-5s (-1, 4.98 average).
-Hovland continued her career-best performance with an even-par 72. She is tied for first in the individual standings both on par-3 holes (-2, 2.80 average) and par-4 holes (+1, 4.06 average). The freshman is tied for third on par-5s (-1, 4.90 average). She has played 26 holes at par, the highest in the tournament.
-Peyton improved her round-one total by three strokes to record an even-par, season-low score of 72 on day two. The round included four birdies and ten holes played at par.
-Shaari carded four birdies during round two and continues to lead the field with a two-day total of 140. She is tied for first in par-3s (-2, 2.80 average), par-4s (+1, 4.06 average) and birdies (8). The newcomer leads outright in par-5 scoring (-3, 4.70 average) and recorded the only eagle of the tournament during round one.
-Connell shot a one-under-par 71 and recorded four birdies in the round. She has played 24 holes at par and is tied for first in par-4 scoring (+1, 4.06 average).
-Worrell remained in the top 10 individual rankings after shooting a 77 on the day. She carded one birdie, played 11 holes at par, and is tied for fifth overall in par-4 scoring (+2, 4.13 average).
-Caroline Berge, competing individually, rose 13 spots to T19 after recording a two-over-par 74 for the day. Nele Mattner also competed as an individual and moved up one spot to T22 with a second round score of 78.
THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Matt Luther
On the team's second-round performance… "Solid. We managed the golf course well, didn't make a ton of mistakes, and played pretty good."
On course conditions… "It was pretty nice here all day. It got a little windier in the afternoon and things firmed up a little bit, but not much different from yesterday."
On Connell and Peyton's day two improvements… "It's upperclassmen doing what they're supposed to do. Having one bad round, or not a great round, and keep plodding along and not letting it bother them. MacKenzie battled all day and ended up birdieing the last hole to shoot even par. It was a good day for both of them."
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
Join the Chip In Club, the women's golf specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All donations to the Chip In Club go directly to support the South Alabama women's golf program. For more information on how you can join visit: jaguarathleticfund.com/chipinclub.
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