Alabama
Darius Rucker Intercollegiate
Crimson Tide Women’s Golf is in Third Place after Darius Rucker Intercollegiate First Round
2/28/2022 5:36:00 PM | Women's Golf
Alabama’s lineup features four players in the top 25 after the first 18 holes
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Despite the field battling brutal elements in the first round of the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, the University of Alabama women's golf team is in third place on a 6-over-par 290, just three shots behind first place, through the first 18 holes. Benedetta Moresco paced the Crimson Tide lineup on a team-low, even-par 71 at the Long Cove Golf Club (par 71, 6,281 yards), while three others posted scores in the top 25.
No. 21 Baylor leads the field with a 3-over-par 287, while No. 11 Texas is in second place with a 5-over-par 289. The Crimson Tide is just one stroke behind the Longhorns at 290, followed by No. 5 Wake Forest and No. 17 LSU in a tie for fourth place at 7-over-par 291.
The touted field in the 10th iteration of the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate features 17 teams, 10 of which are ranked in the Golfstat.com Top 25. The field includes No. 4 South Carolina, No. 5 Wake Forest, No. 8 Alabama, No. 10 Arkansas, No. 11 Texas, No. 13 Arizona State, No.17 LSU, No. 18 Auburn, No. 21 Baylor and No. 22 Duke. Furman, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, Northwestern and Vanderbilt round out the competing teams.
Even while battling cold temperatures and fierce wind, Moresco managed to shoot even par. Of the 90-person field, the sophomore was one of just 11 players to score even-or-better. Her round featured a two-over on the front nine, coupled with a two-under on the back nine, with three birdies littered throughout, good enough for a share of eighth place.
She is just two shots back of leader Anna Morgan of Furman, who scored the only 2-under-par 69 on the day.
Isabella van der Biest, Polly Mack and Angelica Moresco all turned in 2-over-par 73 rounds, earning a share of 22nd place. Mack, a fifth year, and van der Biest, just a freshman, both recorded a trio of birdies in the first round to help them stay competitive, despite the elements.
With Mack's 2-over-par 73, she has continued her streak of contributing all 16 of her rounds this season to Alabama's team total.
Sarah Edwards began the day strong, going one-under on the front nine to share second place for a bit. However, as the day drug on and the elements increased, the junior found adversity on the back nine, going seven-over. Edwards concluded Monday's round with a 6-over-par 77 to tie for 60th place with time to improve.
All three days of the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate will be broadcast live on Golf Channel, 1:30-4:30 p.m. CT.
Alabama will tee off in Tuesday's second round beginning at 10:20 a.m. CT on hole No. 10, paired alongside leaders Baylor and runner-up Texas.
From Head Coach Mic Potter
"I was pleased with our entire team today! It was a cool, windy day and the girls handled the conditions with patience and perseverance. We made some mistakes, which no team was able to avoid, but we handled adversity and kept ourselves in contention."
Results
- T8 Benedetta Moresco even-par 71
- T22 Angelica Moresco 2-over-par 73
- T22 Polly Mack 2-over-par 73
- T22 Isabella van der Biest 2-over-par 73
- T60 Sarah Edwards 6-over-par 77
For all the latest information on the team, follow @AlabamaWGolf on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can be found @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
