Cowgirls move up to third in Big 12 Championship

SAN ANTONIO — Oklahoma State’s women’s golf team moved up one spot into third place at the Big 12 Championship on Saturday after carding a 293 during its second round at the Dominion Country Club.

Through 36holes, the Cowgirls stand at 8-over 584 and one shot behind Texas Tech for second place at the par-72, 6,333-yard layout. Baylor posted a 291 during its second round for a 573 total to extend its lead to 10 shots.

OSU’s Kenzie Neisen used a 2-under 70 to move into the top spot in the individual race. The freshman stands at 5-under 139 and three shots clear of the field.

Neisen played a bogey-free outward nine that featured birdies at Nos. 2, 7 and 9 to turn at3-under 33. After carding bogeys at the 11th and 13th, she answered with three consecutive pars before carding her fourth and final birdie of the day at the 17th to get to her 2-under number.

Neisen will be looking to become the school’s eighth Big 12 champion and its first since Caroline Hedwall won the event in 2010.

Freshman Maddie McCrary followed an opening 73 with a 74 to stand at 147 and tied for 14th place.

Sophomore Linnea Johansson signed for a 76 on Saturday to come in tied for 21st place at 149.

Freshman Emma Broze rebounded from her opening 78 with a 73, giving her a 151 total and tying her for 28th place.

Sophomore Isabella Deilert’s 79 tied her for 38th place at 155.

The Cowgirls will get their final round underway tomorrow at 10 a.m. and will be groupedwith Texas Tech and Baylor.

The University of Oklahoma women’s golf team fell two spots to seventh place in Saturday’s second round. The Sooners logged a 302 (+14) on the day.

Freshman Hannah Wood leads the Sooners through two rounds with a 144 (E). Wood, who is tied for sixth place out of 45 competitors, pocketed five birdies in the round en route to a 71 (-1).

Another OU freshman, Ana Ruiz, posted a second-round 74 (+2) and is tied for 14th place at 147 (+3).

Oklahoma sophomore Alexandra Kaui and freshman Rylee Pedigo share 34th place at 154 (+10). Kaui carded a 78 (+6) in Saturday’s round, while Pedigo shot an 81 (+9).

Sooner freshman Valerie Tanguay is tied for 38th place at 155 (+11) after logging a second-round 79 (+7).

Sixth-year OU head coach Veronique Drouin-Luttrell said she is ready to see how her team bounces back in the final round.

“Hannah (Wood) played solid. I’m really proud of the way she fought all day to keep her round going and then she finished with a great birdie on her last hole,” Drouin-Luttrell said. “Ana (Ruiz) also played well and was pretty consistent all day. I’m hoping we can finish the tournament strong tomorrow.”

TEAM LEADERBOARD
1. Baylor 282-291=573
2. Texas Tech 289-294=583
3. Oklahoma State 291-293=584
4. Iowa State 290-300=590
5. TCU 296-295=591
6. Texas 300-296=596
7. Oklahoma 295-302=597
8. Kansas 301-301=602
9. Kansas State 301-305=606

PLAYER LEADERBOARD
1. Kenzie Niesen, Oklahoma State 69-70=139
T2. Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, Kansas 73-69=142
T2. Pornvipa Sakdee, Kansas 68-74=142
T2. Laura Lonardi, Baylor 70-72=142
5. Stephanie Bertelsen, Texas Tech 70-73=143