DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The University of South Alabama women's golf team is fourth, five strokes off the pace, after shooting a combined 295 (+7) in the opening round of the Sun Belt Conference Championship at the LPGA International – Hills Course. 

Sophomores Caroline Berge and Siti Shaari shot an even-par 72 Monday and are tied for eighth individually.

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Event (Host): 2019 Sun Belt Conference Championship (Sun Belt)
Dates: April 15-17 (Monday-Wednesday)
Format: 54 holes (18/18/18)
Start Time: 7 a.m.  
Course: LPGA International – Hills Course (par 72, 6,050 yds)
Live Results
 
TEAM SCORES
1) Texas State 290 (+2); T2) Troy 291 (+3); T2) Georgia Southern 291 (+3); 4) South Alabama 295 (+7); 5) Arkansas State 299 (+11); T6) Coastal Carolina 303 (+15); T6) Appalachian State 303 (+15); 8) ULM 310 (+22); T9) Little Rock 311 (+23); T9) UT Arlington 311 (+23); 11) Georgia State 315 (+27)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
T1) Julianna Collett, Georgia Southern, 70 (-2); T1) Lindsey Harrison, Troy, 70 (-2); T1) Sasikarn Somboonsup, Texas State, 70 (-2); T1) Anne-Charlotte Mora, Texas State, 70 (-2); T5) Sydney Scraba, Little Rock, 71 (-1); T5) Ansley Bowman, Georgia Southern, 71 (-1); T5) Scarlett Eaton, ULM, 71 (-1); T8) Sarah Harrison, Troy, 72 (E); T8) Caroline Berge, South Alabama, 72 (E); T8) Siti Shaari, South Alabama, 72 (E)

SOUTH ALABAMA SCORES
T8) Caroline Berge, 72 (E); T8) Siti Shaari, 72 (E); T18) Julie Hovland, 75 (+3); T26) MacKenzie Peyton, 76 (+4); 55) Lexi Worrell, 87 (+15)

TEE SHOTS
-Berge is tied for the lead on par-3 scoring with a 2.75 (-1) average. She carded a team-high four birdies on the day—going back-to-back on holes 11 and 12—and is even on par-4s. 
-Shaari's team-high 14 even-pars ties for third in the field. She leads the Jaguars in par-4 scoring (3.90, -1) and recorded two birdies in the opening round.
-Julie Hovland is even on par-3 and par-5 scoring and is tied for sixth overall in both categories. She is the only Jaguar to rank in the top 20 on par-5 holes and she carded two birdies on the day.
-Senior MacKenzie Peyton had two consecutive birdies on holes eight and nine to complete the front nine at 37 (+1). 
-USA has played 54 holes at even-par and is tied for second with 10 birdies. The Jaguars hold a 3.20 (+4) average on par-3 holes.

THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Matt Luther 

On the opening round… "We did not get off to a great start. We made some birdies in the middle and pulled a pretty good round out of a rough start. We're right where we're supposed to be, just a couple shots back, and we're playing well."

On course conditions… "They're pretty good. A little wet, but it's playing pretty fast and the course is in good shape. It's definitely scoreable out here, as evidenced by the scores."

On Berge and Shaari… "They played solid and steady. We've got a good game plan for the golf course. They both stayed patient. I think neither one got off to a great start and they just held the round together. Caroline made a bunch of birdies in the middle and Siti played steady and parred every hole in the back."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. 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.

—USA—