OU back in contention in Schooner Fall Classic

NORMAN, Okla. — The fourth-ranked University of Oklahoma women’s golf team found itself in 12th place following Saturday’s opening round of the inaugural 15-team Schooner Fall Classic in Norman. But thanks to a 6-over-par second-round 286 on Sunday, the Sooners catapulted all the way to fourth place with 18 holes remaining at the par-70 Belmar Golf Club course.
 
Once again battling less-than-ideal elements (50-degree temperature and 15-20 mph northwest winds to start the day), Oklahoma improved upon its first-round score by 21 strokes on Sunday. The Sooners’ second-round total was best among the field by six shots. OU trails leader LSU by seven strokes, second-place Arizona State by five shots and third-place Oklahoma State by four strokes.
 
LSU’s Caroline Nistrup shot a 5-under 65 Sunday and is atop the individual leaderboard by two strokes.
 
"Everybody played well today," Drouin-Luttrell said of her team members. "We made some good pars and some great birdies on tough holes, so that really helped us out."
 
OU freshman standout Alexandra Kaui once again posted the team’s best score of the day. After shooting a first-round 75, Kaui responded with a 1-under 69 Sunday and is tied for sixth place (+4) in the 78-player field. Kaui recorded a team-high five birdies on the day en route to her low collegiate round.
 
Anne-Catherine Tanguay also had strong day for the Sooners. The senior carded an even-par 70 in round two, seven shots better than her first-round score. The 2013 All-American countered four bogeys with four birdies and is tied for 13th place at +7.
 
After shooting a 12-over 82 on Saturday, senior Emily Collins rebounded in a big way in round two with a 72 (+2). Collins, who shot a 1-under 33 with no bogeys on Sunday’s first nine holes, said she felt she was back to normal.
 
"I just knew that today was a new day and I couldn’t really get worse," said Collins, who jumped up to 44th place. "We did really well sticking to our game plan today."
 
Collins was followed Sunday by senior Chirapat Jao-Javanil. The two-time All-American shot a 5-over second-round 75 (+5), three strokes better than her first round score, and is tied for 39th place at +13.
 
Senior Kaitlyn Rohrback shot a second-round 78 (+8) and is tied for 48th place at +15. Freshman Maggie Neece is tied with Rohrback after her second-round 76 (+6). In her first collegiate tournament, Neece is competing as an individual and unattached from team scoring.
 
Drouin-Luttrell said she expects her team to continue improving in round three.
 
"Tomorrow we just have to stick to our game plan like we did today and not force anything," Drouin-Luttrell said. "I’m just going to emphasize that we let things happen, and we’ll go from there."
 
Put on by the Toby Keith Foundation, Schooner Fall Classic proceeds will benefit the OK Kids Korral at the OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Final-round action begins Monday at 8:30 a.m. The Sooners will tee off on hole 1 starting at 9:10.
 
Live scoring is available at BirdieFire.com.

1    LSU    +26    F    +11    295    291     –    586
2    Arizona State    +28    F    +15    293    295     –    588
3    Oklahoma State    +29    F    +16    293    296     –    589
4    Oklahoma    +33    F    +6    307    286     –    593
5    Kentucky    +36    F    +16    300    296     –    596
T6    Florida State    +41    F    +25    296    305     –    601
T6    Texas State Univ.    +41    F    +18    303    298     –    601
T6    Kent State    +41    F    +23    298    303     –    601
9    Pepperdine    +42    F    +13    309    293     –    602
T10    Denver    +44    F    +26    298    306     –    604
T10    TCU    +44    F    +23    301    303     –    604
12    Texas A&M    +47    F    +24    303    304     –    607
13    SMU    +48    F    +22    306    302     –    608
14    Texas Tech    +57    F    +24    313    304     –    617
15    Georgia    +59    F    +28    311    308     –    619