March 30, 2007
Sophomore Jacqui Concolino posted a 3-under par 69 and is one stroke behind tournament leader Pernillia Lindberg of Oklahoma State after the first round of the PING-Arizona State Invitational in Tempe, Ariz.
Concolino made her move Friday with four birdies on the back nine holes to move from 1-over to 3-under par on the day.
“She was playing with more patience today than she had been in previous rounds,” Vanderbilt head coach Martha Richards said. “She hit the ball well and got her putter to heat up as the round continued.”
Vanderbilt finished the first day at the Karsten Golf Course (Par 72, 6,230 yards) in fourth place with a 3-over par 291. The sixth-ranked Commodores are six strokes behind tournament leader and No. 2 Arizona State (285). Eighth-ranked Oklahoma State and No. 5 Pepperdine are tied for second at 290. Ten of the 17 squads competing in the three-day event are listed in the Golfweek Top 25 rankings.
Three other Commodores are tied for 21st place after shooting a 2-over par 74. Senior Chris Brady was 3-over on the front nine but steadied her play on the back nine, posting a 1-under par. Junior Liebelei Lawrence had a pair of birdies before the turn but was 4-over on her final nine holes. Senior Kristen Svicarovich registered back-to-back birdies on No. 15 and No. 16 to finish at 2-over.
“Chris didn’t always hit the fairways or the greens but she kept fighting and competing and did a good job of getting up-and-downs,” Richards said. “Kristen’s two birdies near the end of her round were super for this course.”
Freshman Brooke Goodwin is tied for 44th place after posting a 4-over par 76.
Vanderbilt begins second round play Saturday from the first hole at 10:48 CT.
“I’m pleased with our effort and competitiveness,” Richards said. “We’ve got to go out (Saturday) and shoot a low round and put some heat on some people.”
AGATE
First Round
PING-Arizona State Invitational
Karsten Golf Course (Par 72, 6,230 yards)
Individual Standings (Top 10)
1. Pernilla Lindberg, Oklahoma State 68;
T2. Jacqui Concolino, Vanderbilt 69;
T2. Anna Nordqvist, Arizona State 69;
T4. Jayvie Agojo, Pepperdine 70;
T4. Mikaela Backstedt, New Mexico 70;
T4. Jennifer Osborn, Arizona State 70;
T7. Mari Chun, Stanford 71;
T7. Jodi Ewart, New Mexico 71;
T7. Mary Jacobs, Arizona 71.
Team Standings
1. Arizona State 285;
T2. Oklahoma State 290;
T2. Pepperdine 290;
4. Vanderbilt 291;
5. Texas A&M 294;
6. Arizona 297;
7. Stanford 298;
8. New Mexico 299;
9. UNLV 300;
10. UCLA 301;
11. Tulsa 305;
12. Southern California 306;
T13. Washington 307;
T13. Oregon State 307;
15. California 308;
16. Missouri 310; Long Beach State 314.
Vanderbilt Players
T2. Jacqui Concolino 69
T21. Chris Brady 74
T21. Liebelei Lawrence 74
T21. Kristen Svicarovich 74
T44. Brooke Goodwin 76
