Hot Start in Puerto Rico

RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico — Vanderbilt women’s golf started its spring season in red-hot fashion at the Puerto Rico Classic, firing a 5-under team total to take a one-stroke lead on the field through 18 holes.

Sara Im, tied for second individually, holed four birdies and an eagle on hole No. 17 to notch a 4-under-par 68. The Dores head into Monday’s second round with three golfers in the top 15. 

“You know, for a team that was literally playing its first 18-hole round of the spring, I thought it went pretty well,” said head coach Greg Allen. “And I’m serious, because of weather and sickness, we weren’t able to get an 18-hole round in at home before coming down here.” 

Three Commodore golfers shot below-par rounds to open the tournament. In addition to Im’s 68, Ava Merrill finished with a 3-under 69. She tallied five birdies herself and is tied for fourth place individually. Lynn Lim, tied for 13th individually, carded a 1-under 71. Tillie Claggett shot a 75 and Angelina Tolentino a 76.

“Sara, Ava and Lynn looked really, really good today and made golf look pretty easy,” said Allen. “I’m proud of the fight Tillie and Angelina showed today and look for them to get it rolling tomorrow.”

Vanderbilt has a one-stroke lead over Ole Miss. Michigan State is in third at 1-under-par. The Dores lead the tournament with the lowest Par-4 average of 3.98 strokes per hole. 

“There’s still plenty of golf to be played the next two days and, the way the wind can blow here, we need to stay committed to our game plan and keep the same good energy we had today” Allen said.

On Monday, Vanderbilt tees off the second round with Ole Miss, Michigan State and North Florida at 6:30 a.m. CT. Live scoring for the event can be found HERE.