TUSCALOOSA, Ala.?The University of Kentucky women?s golf team sits in 13th place after 18 holes at the UA-Ann Rhoads Intercollegiate hosted by the University of Alabama, Friday.

Kentucky shot an opening day 309 and trails the leading Arkansas Lady Razorbacks by 14 shots. Fifteen teams among the 18 team field are within 20 shots of one another, leaving the remaining 36 holes a wide-open race.

The Blue and White were led by junior Mallory Blackwelder?s four-over par 75 to open play. Blackwelder notched 12 pars on her round to lead the Wildcats.

Freshman Louise Ljungstedt fired a five-over 76 to keep close range on the individual leaderboard. She and senior Beth Felts each tallied two birdies on their rounds to pace the Wildcats in under-par marks. Felts, freshman Emma Eksell and sophomore Erica Still all opened with eight-over 79s.

This is just the second round this season in which every Wildcat golfer fired under-80 scores.

Eleven teams competing are ranked in the nation?s top-50 in the country by Golfweek. There are nine SEC teams in the field. Kentucky edged out Mississippi State and the host Alabama team among conference foes, but is just eight shots behind sixth place Auburn.

Tomorrow?s round tees off at 8:00 a.m. CDT. The final 18 holes played on Sunday will begin with a shotgun starts at 8:40 a.m. CDT.

For a full listing of team and individual scores, a tournament stats page is available at http://www.golfstatresults.com//public/leaderboards/team/static/team1042.html.

Complete results of this weekend?s action including live stats can be found at www.ukathletics.com.

WILDCAT SCORES

T20-Mallory Blackwelder (75)
T32-Louise Ljungstedt (76)
T53-Emma Eksell (79)
T53-Beth Felts (79)
T53-Erica Still (79)