Alabama
NCAA Women's Golf Regional
Alabama Women’s Golf in Third Place after First Round of NCAA Tallahassee Regional
5/7/2018 3:33:00 PM | Women's Golf
Stephenson tied for third in individual standings at 5-under par
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Junior Lauren Stephenson fired a 5-under par 67 to lead the Alabama women's golf team to a 6-under par day and a third-place standing following the first round at the NCAA Tallahassee Regional on Monday.
Washington (273) leads the team standings at 15-under par. The Huskies were led by Wenyung Keh, who was the regional's low individual on Monday with a 9-under par 63 opening round at the par-72, 6,342-yard Don Veller Seminole Golf Course and Club.
Furman (280) is second at 8-under par, followed by the Tide (282). Clemson (284), Tennessee (284) and Wake Forest (284) are tied for fourth at 3-under par. The top six teams in the final standings after Wednesday's third round will advance to the NCAA Championships.
"The start wasn't great but the first few holes aren't the easiest on the course," Alabama head coach Mic Potter said. "We played the ninth hole really well with two eagles and three birdies and we eventually got to 11-under par on the back nine. But we didn't finish very well on the last three holes. This course is playing shorter than it appeared it would, but it gets tougher as you get closer to the green. You have to be precise with your approach shot to create your best angle."
Stephenson's opening-round 67 was her 16th round in the 60s this season and her 22nd under par in 27 rounds played in 2017-18. The score has the Lexington, S.C., native in a tie for third place, four shots behind Keh.
Stephenson's round equals the third-lowest in UA history in NCAA Regional play, trailing only the second round 6-under par 66 turned in by both Jennifer Kirby and Stephanie Meadow at the 2013 NCAA East Regional at Auburn.
Freshman Angelica Moresco carded a 1-under par 71 in her NCAA postseason debut, which included an eagle on the par-5, 470-yard ninth hole, and is tied for 16th. Sophomore Kristen Gillman (72) and junior Cheyenne Knight (72) are tied for 24th after even-par opening rounds. Senior Lakareber Abe (76) followed Moresco's eagle on No. 9 with an eagle of her own and finished the day in a tie for 61st at 4-over par.
"For being a freshman in her first regional, I thought Angelica was very solid today," Potter added. "She has the potential to play very well as she adjusts to playing postseason golf. Lauren just plays great all the time so it's not a surprise to see that kind of performance from her. We've got five girls who can play well on this course, so we just need to continue to trust our game over the next two rounds."
Tuesday's second round will begin at 7 a.m. CT. Alabama will tee off beginning at 8:50 a.m. CT and will be paired with Washington and Furman.
NCAA Tallahassee Regional
Don Veller Seminole Golf Course & Club
Tallahassee, Fla.
Host: Florida State University
Alabama Individual Results
T-3. Lauren Stephenson – 67 (-5)
T-16. Angelica Moresco – 71 (-1)
T-24. Kristen Gillman – 72 (E)
T-24. Cheyenne Knight – 72 (E)
T-61. Lakareber Abe – 76 (+4)
Team Standings
Top 6 team finishers advance to NCAA Championships
1. Washington – 273 (-15)
2. Furman – 280 (-8)
3. ALABAMA – 282 (-6)
T-4. Clemson – 285 (-3)
T-4. Tennessee – 285 (-3)
T-4. Wake Forest – 285 (-3)
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaWGolf, on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
