GOLF, Ill. – Sparked by a back-nine birdie barrage by Auston Kim and Abbey Carlson’s second competitive hole-in-one, the Commodores registered a 10-stroke improvement in the second round of action Monday at the Windy City Collegiate Classic.
After a disappointing opening round early Monday, the Commodores came back in the afternoon to fire a 1-under-par 287 to move into a tie for eighth in the team competition. The tournament, being held at the Glen View Club northwest of Chicago, features a loaded field that includes 10 teams currently ranked in Golfweek’s top-25.
Kim, from St. Augustine, Florida, moved into medalist contention with a sensational display of golf on the back nine in the afternoon round. Kim, winner of the Cougar Classic earlier this month, used four birdies in a seven-hole stretch to fire a bogey-free round of 4-under-par 68. The birdies allowed Kim to vault into a tie for fifth on the individual leaderboard. She will enter the final round just six strokes off the pace set by South Carolina’s Pauline Roussin-Bouchard.
Before Kim caught fire, Carlson provided one of the tournament’s top highlights with an ace at the par-3 11th. Carlson aced the 137-yard par-3 with a perfectly-struck 9-iron.
It was Carlson’s second collegiate hole-in-one. Her first competitive ace as a Commodore came two years ago at the Southeastern Conference Championships.
After falling behind the leaders after a 9-over-par 297 in the opening round, the Commodores responded with one of four sub-par team scores in the second round.
Kim was supported by junior Morgan Baxendale, who fashioned a bogey-free, 1-under-par round of 71 in the afternoon competition.
“We got off to a rough start and had a chance to sort of salvage the morning round with a few birdies but gave them right back on the closing holes,” Vanderbilt head coach Allen said. “But I’m really proud of the fight we showed in the afternoon round. Auston was particularly impressive and Mo (Baxendale) also put together a solid round.”
Junior Louise Yu registered a 36-hole total of 5-over-par 149, with rounds of 74 and 75. Carlson finished the day with a 6-over-par total of 150 with rounds of 77 and 73. Freshman Jayna Choi shoot a total of 6-over-par 150 after two rounds of 75. Freshman Celina Sattelkau, playing in the individual competition, posted a total of 5-over-par 149 with rounds of 77 and 72.
The 287 second-round tally allowed Vanderbilt to jump Iowa State and Ohio State in the team standings. The Commodores will look to continue their push up the leaderboard Tuesday when they tee off with their closest rivals, Arizona and Oklahoma State.
“We’ve had a tough time on the greens but I think we’re starting to figure it out. I’m excited about tomorrow and I know we’re not content with where we are on the leaderboard,” Allen added.
The Commodores are on the first tee Tuesday starting at 7:30 a.m.
Windy City Collegiate Classic
Glen View Club, Golf, Ill.
Par 72, 6,368 yards
Team Standings
(through 36 holes)
T-8. Vanderbilt +8 584 (297-287)
Individual Results
T-5. Auston Kim -3 141 (73-68)
T-30. Morgan Baxendale +2 146 (75-71)
T-44. Celina Sattelkau +5 149 (77-72) *
T-44. Louise Yu +6 149 (74-75)
T-48. Abbey Carlson +6 150 (77-73)
T-48. Jayna Choi +6 150 (75-75)
*playing as individual
