CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico – The women’s golf team stormed back into title contention at the Battle at the Beach by registering a 22-stroke improvement over their first-round total from Friday.
With junior Abbey Carlson and freshman Auston Kim leading the way, all five Vanderbilt players posted a lower score in the second round. The result was a 7-under par team score of 277, pushing the Commodores into second place in the overall team standings.
The Commodores will enter the final round Sunday trailing only Auburn for the team championship. The Tigers hold a 10-stroke cushion over the Dores after shooting a 6-under par 278 total on Saturday.
Head coach Greg Allen was delighted with how his squad capitalized on a strong finish during the first round.
“I thought today’s great play was a continuation of how we finished yesterday’s round. We really carried that momentum with us, ” Allen said. “The girls looked really solid and in control all day. It was good to see quality shots and a lot of putts going in.
“I’m excited about the opportunity tomorrow and anxious to see what our young ladies can do. Auburn has played really well the last two days. It should be fun and I think our girls will be up for the challenge,” Allen added.
Both Carlson and Auston Kim were superb on the difficult par-71 Club Campestre San Jose layout, firing rounds of 4-under 67 and 3-under 68, respectively.
After starting 1-over through six holes, Carlson went eight-under through the next 10 holes that included a back nine score of 29. In one five-hole stretch, Carlson made an eagle and four birdies. The round allowed Carlson to vault from 56th to 13th in the individual competition.
“I’m so happy for Abbey. Her back nine was incredible. You don’t see people shooting 29 very often,” Allen said.
Auston Kim will enter the final round just three strokes out of the individual lead after making six birdies in a 3-under round of 68. She is fourth in medalist honors with a 1-under par total of 141.
A pair of sophomores, Morgan Baxendale and Louise Yu, carded even-par rounds of 71 for the Commodores.
Freshman Annie Kim put together a 1-over 72 and is tied at 13th individually with Carlson and others.
The Commodores will be paired with Auburn, Texas and Clemson in the final round Sunday. The competition starts at 9:15 a.m. CT with a shotgun start.
Battle at the Beach
Second Round Results
Team Standings
1. Auburn 565 (287-278). 2. Vanderbilt 575 (298-277). T-3. Texas 581 (292-289). T-3. Clemson 581 (307-274). 5. Oklahoma 584 (299-285). 6. TCU 585 (298-287). 7. Missouri 587 (302-285). 8. Mississippi State 588 (294-294). 9. Houston 599 (304-295). 10. Virginia 600 (298-302). 11. Tulane 606 (298-308). 12. Baylor 607 (304-303). 13. New Mexico 612 (313-299). 14. Denver 615 (309-306). 15. Iowa 627 (308-319). 16. Tulsa 629 (313-316). 17. UAB 631 (322-309).
Vanderbilt Individuals
4. Auston Kim (-1) 141 (73-68)
T-13. Annie Kim (+3) 145 (73-72)
T-13. Abbey Carlson (+3) 145 (77-67)
T-17. Morgan Baxendale (+4) 146 (76-71)
T-32. Louise Yu (+6) 148 (77-71)
