CARLSBAD, Calif. — Facing the tougher afternoon tee times when coastal winds surge at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Vanderbilt women’s golf slid to 13th on the team leaderboard following an 18-over second round. The Commodores sit at 12-over through two rounds.
Despite the Saturday struggles, Vanderbilt managed to earn a morning tee time for Sunday’s third round. The top 15 teams following the third round will advance to a fourth round of stroke play on Monday.
“Despite a rough start and some big numbers late in the round, the way I see it is after two rounds at the National Championship, we’ve given ourselves a chance to make the 54-hole cut,” said head coach Greg Allen. “If you can make that cut, then there’s a chance to make match play. I’m really proud of the fight and the never-give-up attitude today.
“I think we were a little nervous to start the round but did a nice job of hanging in there until the big numbers on the last six holes. Ava made a huge birdie to finish her round which gives us a morning tee time – that is big.”
Beginning play on the back nine Saturday, Vanderbilt endured a rough start going 11-over in the first five holes. The Dores steadied around the turn, notching five birdies across holes No. 15-18. Big numbers once again found the Dores in the closing holes Saturday as Vandy counted five scores of double-bogey or worse on the day.
Lynn Lim finished 3-over-par at 75 on the afternoon and is 1-over for the championship. Ava Merrill and Angelina Tolentino each carded 4-over rounds of 76 while Tillie Claggett and Sara Im went 7-over at 79.
Vanderbilt will tee off beginning at 8:20 a.m. PT/10:20 a.m. CT on Sunday. The Dores are seeking to advance to Monday’s fourth round for the first time since the cut was introduced to the NCAA Championship.
“I’m excited about the opportunity we have tomorrow,” said Allen. “The girls are very determined and they believe in what we’re here to do.”
Live scoring for the NCAA Championship is available on SCOREBOARD. The Golf Channel will broadcast the championship beginning with Monday’s fourth round.
