Cowgirls lead, Sooners playing well in Dick McGuire Invitational
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – A thunderstorm that rolled through Albuquerque on Monday evening was about the only thing that could slow down the Oklahoma State women’s golf team at its season opening tournament, the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational.
The Cowgirls began the 36-hole day with a 14-under par 274 in the opening round, which is the second-lowest round in school history. Only OSU’s school-record 268 at the Las Vegas Intercollegiate in 2008 can top it in the record book.
Play was suspended due to inclement weather late in the second round. OSU players were on holes 12-15 when the decision was made to postpone play until Tuesday. The Cowgirls will play the third and final round at the University of New Mexico’s University Course after they finish round two.
A year removed from leading the nation in birdies, OSU carded 21 birdies in the opening round Monday, and so far, the Cowgirls are a tournament-best 4-under par on the course’s four par-3 holes.
Linnea Johansson shot an opening-round 66, which ties for her best in a Cowgirl uniform and is tied for the 10th best round ever by a Cowgirl. The senior will have six holes to play in her second round on Tuesday, and is currently in sixth place at 4-under.
Alexis Sadeghy recorded a career-best 4-under 68 in her opening round. She will wrap up her remaining six holes in round two on Tuesday, and sits in a tie for 24th at even par.
Isabella Deilert and Emma Broze both opened their ’16-17 season with 2-under 70s. Deilert has seven holes to play in her second round, while Broze has five to play. The Cowgirls are tied for 12th and 16h, respectively.
Two-time Big 12 individual champion Kenzie Neisen is tied with Sadeghy for 24th place after opening with a 1-over 73. A junior, she has four holes to play in her second round.
Chih-Min Chen is playing as an individual, and shot a 2-under 70 in her first round. With five holes to play in her second round, the reigning Big 12 Freshman of the Year is tied for 7th at 3-under.
The University of Oklahoma women’s team was 1-under and in seventh place when play was halted. Eighth-year OU head coach Veronique Drouin-Luttrell said it was exciting to see her squad off to a solid start to the season.
“We played solid all day,” Drouin-Luttrell said. “I’m really proud of the girls and how we were able to keep it going as the conditions got tougher through the day. On a 36-hole day, it’s all about how strong you are mentally, and the girls did a great job of staying focused.”
Hannah Wood paced the Sooners on the opening day with an even-par 72. The junior was 2 under through 12 holes in the final round of the day. Wood is in a share of 12th place at 119 in the tournament.
Sophomore Julienne Soo started off hot, carding a 71 in the tournament’s opening round, marking her career-best (previous was 74). Junior Ana Ruiz is in a tie for 41st place at 2-over through 32 holes. Freshman Sydney Youngblood made a solid start to her collegiate career and is tied for 50th place at 132 (+3) through 32 holes. Youngblood shot 73 in her first round and was 2 over through 14 holes in her second round.
Valerie Tanguay is also tied for 50th (+3). The junior opened the tournament with a 74 in the opening round. She currently sits at 1 over through 13 holes in the tournament’s second round.
Play will resume with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start on Tuesday. Live scoring and full results can be found at BirdieFire.com.
Team Leaderboard
1. Oklahoma State (-12) 274-202 -476
2. Arizona State (-10) 284-184 – 468
3. Baylor (-8) 282-190 – 472
Individual Leaderboard
1. Esther Lee, Colorado (-14) 61-42 – 103
2. Monica Vaughn, ASU (-8) 67-42 – 109
T3. Sirene Blair, San Diego St. (-7) 69-48 – 117
T3. Krystal Quihuis, Arizona (-7) 68-44 – 112
OSU Individuals
6. Linnea Johansson (-4) 66-50 – 116
T7. Chih-Min Chen *Ind* (-3) 70-52 – 122
T12. Isabella Deilert (-2) 70-44 – 114
T16. Emma Broze (-1) 70-53 – 123
T24. Alexis Sadeghy (E) 68-52 -120
T24. Kenzie Neisen (E) 73-55- 128