LEXINGTON, Ky.?The 23rd-ranked University of Kentucky women?s golf team concluded round one of action in a tie for fifth place in their home event the Lady Wildcat Fall Invitational being played at the University Club in Lexington.
Kentucky carded a team score of 301, nine shots off of Alabama?s tournament leading 292 to open play. The Crimson Tide?s Courtney Harter, playing as an individual, shot a tournament low five-under par (67). At the end of round one, six players shot under par for the tournament.
?There were a lot of good scores out there today,? said Head Coach Myra Blackwelder. ?It doesn?t really surprise me to see how the field has shaken up after one round of action. The good news is we didn?t play as well as we could, and we are within striking distance because there is still a lot of golf to play.?
Leading the way for the Wildcats were three players in the top-10. Junior Mallory Blackwelder paced all Kentucky scorers with her second under-par round of the season a two-under (70) as she sits in a tie for third place. Freshman Louise Ljungstedt was the other Wildcat in the starting lineup amongst the leaders as she tied a career-best with a one-over score 71, good for a tie for 10th.
?Mallory and Louise both had exceptional rounds today,? said Blackwelder. ?Louise is a freshman who has been battling a back injury, but she came out today ready to play. Mallory had another solid round for us.?
In her first collegiate round freshman Paige Lausier, who is playing as an individual, brought into the clubhouse an even par (72) to place tied for seventh after 18 holes.
?I was thrilled with Paige?s start today in her first ever collegiate round of golf,? Blackwelder said. ?She missed the start of the season due to an illness, so I?m so pleased with how she?s gotten back so quickly and had a fantastic start to her career.?
Rounding out the team scores for the Blue and White were seniors Beth Felts (77), and Elizabeth Dotson (81) and sophomore Erica Still (85).
Sophomore Kristin Vincent, also playing as an individual, shot an impressive 77 to open her second tournament for the Wildcats.
?Our team had some ups and downs today,? Blackwelder said. ?I think we?re still trying to mesh with one another. We have to continue to be patient and good things will happen.?
Tee times begin on Sunday at 9 a.m. In the tournament?s final round, the field will begin with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Live stats for the tournament are available at www.ukathletics.com and www.golfstat.com. Complete coverage of this weekend?s play can be found at the www.ukatheltics.com.
Wildcat Scores
T3 Mallory Blackwelder (70 -2)
T7 Paige Lausier (72 E) *
T10 Louise Ljungstedt (73 +1)
T28 Beth Felts (77 +5)
T28 Kristin Vincent (77 +5)*
T52 Elizabeth Dotson (81 +9)
T64 Erica Still (85 +13)
* playing as an individual
