The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

The number two nationally ranked University of Texas Longhorns women’s golf team is right where head coach Ryan Murphy anticipated at the end of day two of the White Sands NCAA Invitational Tournament.

Following the completion of the University of Houston’s hosting of the first segment of the three-day tournament for women yesterday, the Longhorns produced a 10-under-par 278 to add to their opening day of 12-under-par 276 for a total of 22-under-par 554.

Highlighted by another solid performance from freshman Sophie Guo with a five-under-par 67 to go along with her six-under-par 66 on day one for a 133 total, the Longhorns extended their lead over their nearest rivals, the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, with a 572.

With one more round to be played today at the Atlantis’ Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island and the way his Longhorns’ team is performing, Murphy said he’s confident that they can pull it off.

“I’m not sure if it could have gotten any better for us,” Murphy said. “It’s as good as we could play - 22-under-par - I can’t ask for anything more.”

While top seed Guo has been sensational, leading the individual standings on both days, the Longhorns also benefitted from No.2 seed Sara Kouskova, who is tied for second with rounds of 69-68 for a 137 total and No.3 seed Katilyn Papp with 70-71 for 141, Murphy said it makes a big difference in their positioning. “There are certain golf courses that fit a golfer and this one catches her eyes,” said Murphy of Guo. “She’s been doing very well. So have the others. That’s why we’re out front.”

Murphy was referring to No.5 seed Emilee Hoffman, who is tied for ninth with 71-72 for 143 and No.4 Hailee Cooper with 73-73 for 146.

Arkansas doesn’t have any competitors sitting in the top five, but their players have been consistent enough to push them into second place with a total of 572, followed by a two-way tie for third with the Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Georgia Bulldogs with 590.

The Razorbacks’ best individual performance came from No.2 seed Ela Anacona, who is tied for seventh. She shot rounds of 69-73 for a 142 total.

Kaitilin Mullings, the top seed for the Sooners, sits in a tie for seventh place with 75-67 for 142, while Bulldogs’ top seed Caterina Don is in fourth place with 69-70 for her 139 total.

Host University of Houston Cougars dropped from third to fifth place with 582, led by No.2 seed Karen Fredgaard with rounds of 69-70 for a 137 total that has her tied with Kouskova for second place.

Going into today’s final round, Murphy said they hope that they can continue their trend.

“We will just stick to our game plan,” he stated. “It’s a strong field. We have five of the top 25 ranked teams, so we will have to play like we have been for the past two days if we are going to win. I feel we have a chance to do it.”

The team and individual champions will be crowned today.

Thursday will be a Pro-Am segment and the practice round for the 12 men’s teams entered. They will begin competition on Friday and will wrap up on Sunday when their champions, team, and individual will be crowned.

White Sands, as the organisers of the event, will provide a scholarship exemption into a professional tournament for both the male and female individual champions of the tournament.