BRADENTON, Fla. -- Top-ranked Southern California rolled into the top spot in the 2015 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championships during the second round Saturday, as one of 12 teams with play remaining as action was halted due to weather. Teams will wrap up second round action Sunday morning, resuming play at 8:25 a.m. The third round will begin at 8:30 a.m.
The Trojans cruised through 11 holes at The Concession Golf Club, shooting five strokes over par on the 6,468-yard, par 72 course to surpass fourth-ranked Duke by nine strokes for sole possession of first place in the partially completed round. Southern California will continue second round action Sunday morning, at 14 strokes over par.
Among the teams finished with second round play, No. 18 Baylor is at 28 strokes over par and in fourth place. The Bears stand one stroke behind No. 12 Tennessee and five strokes behind Duke, both with incomplete rounds.
Leading the way for Southern California was junior Annie Park, who carded birdies on the 11th, 17th and second holes, shooting even par through 11 holes and leading the field by one stroke at two under par in the halted round.
Among individuals who completed the second round, Alabama junior Emma Talley leads at 143. After posting a 70 (-2) in the first round, Talley continued her consistent play in the second. Four birdies and good course management helped Alabama’s ace tally a 73 (+1), just one stroke behind Park, and two strokes ahead of a third place tie.
Talley credited conservative choices on a tough course for her success, adjusting to situations to avoid big numbers.
“I knew pars were going to be really good out here, and keeping away from the big numbers would be important,” Talley said. “That’s what I tried to do. I got in trouble a few times today, but I got a bogey out of it. That’s why I have been consistent so far.”
Making a move with the second-best round of the tournament, Texas Tech jumped 13 spots into ninth place after shooting 294 (+6) Saturday. The jump put Texas Tech in a good position heading into Sunday, as only the top 15 teams will advance to Monday’s final round of stroke play.
Freshman Gabby Barker carded an eagle on the par-4 eighth hole, and added four birdies on the back nine to lead the Red Raiders with a 72 (E), improving to a tie for 12th as an individual.
