CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico – The Vanderbilt women’s golf team will enter second-round play Saturday at the Battle at the Beach in solid contention after rallying from a disappointing start in the opening 18 holes on Friday.
The Commodores, competing for the second consecutive year on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, finished the opening round in a tie for fourth place among 17 teams. The Vanderbilt lineup posted a team score of 14-over par 298.
The Commodores, ranked No. 3 nationally by Golfweek, will enter the second round 11 strokes behind first-round leading Auburn, who posted a three-over total of 287. The Tigers are followed by Texas (292), Mississippi State (294) and Vanderbilt, Tulane, TCU and Virginia, all tied at 14-over 298.
A pair of true freshmen, Annie Kim and Auston Kim paced the Commodores on Friday, carding 2-over par rounds of 73. They are tied for 12th place in the medalist competition.
The Club Campestre San Jose venue, designed through foothills overlooking the Pacific Ocean, was a tough test early for the Commodores. The Vanderbilt contingent combined for just five birdies over their opening 12 holes, then closed impressively late in the round by making 10 birdies over the closing six holes.
Head coach Greg Allen was pleased with his squad’s fight and determination to recover from the poor start.
“We just got off to a really bad start and it didn’t look good for a while, but I’m proud of how we hung in there and made some late birdies, ” Allen said. “I’m a little shocked that we’re not further back of Auburn after the round.
“On Saturday, we have to do a better job on and around the greens. I believe in this team and trust they will make a move,” Allen added.
Auston Kim, named to the ANNIKA Award watch list in October off of impressive early-season performances, recovered from four early bogeys to card a 2-over 73. She closed with four birdies over her last eight holes.
Annie Kim matched Auston’s 73 to share team honors. She registered three birdies to go with five bogeys during the round.
Sophomore Morgan Baxendale did a superb job posting a 75. After falling to 6-over par in the round, Baxendale registered three consecutive late birdies to post the 4-over total.
Sophomore Louise Yu added the final score for the Commodores. She posted just one birdie during a round of 77.
Junior Abbey Carlson, who entered the competition among the individual favorites, struggled for much of the day shooting 78 but found something late in the round with birdies at No. 2 and No. 4.
Second round action will get under way Saturday at 10 a.m. CT with a shotgun start.
Battle at the Beach First Round Results
Team Standings
1. Auburn 287. 2. Texas 292. 3. Mississippi State 294. T-4. Vanderbilt 298. T-4. Tulane 298. T-4. TCU 298. T-4. Virginia 298. 8. Oklahoma 299. 9. Missouri 302. T-10. Baylor 304. T-10. Houston 304. 12. Clemson 307. 13. Iowa 308. 14. Denver 309. T-15. New Mexico 313. T-15. Tulsa 313. 17. UAB 322.
Vanderbilt Individuals
T-12. Auston Kim (+2) 73
T-12. Annie Kim (+2) 73
T-31. Morgan Baxendale (+4) 75
T-45. Louise Yu (+6) 77
T-56. Abbey Carlson (+7) 78
