Aug. 12, 2002

SCARBOROUGH, N.Y. – South Carolina junior women’s golfer Adrienne Gautreaux (Mabank, Tex.) fired a one-under 70 Monday and is in fifth place after 18 holes of the 102nd U.S. Women’s Amateur Golf Championship held at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club. USC signee Erica Battle (Irmo, S.C.) is tied for 13th after posting an even-par 71 while senior Kristy McPherson is tied for 40th after a round of three-over 74 on the par 71, 6,190-yard course.

After two rounds (36 holes) of stroke play (the final 18 holes are to be played Tuesday), the lowest 64 scorers will advance to match play. The first two rounds of match play, consisting of 18 holes each, is scheduled for Wednesday, with the third round and quarterfinals set for Thursday. The semifinals are scheduled for Friday and the 36-hole final is set for Saturday.

Al three of the South Carolina players are in contention to advance to the match-play portion of the event which starts Wednesday.

Gautreaux, who won her sectional to advance to this week’s competition, had a 34 on the back site en route to her 70 score Monday. She trails Courtney Swaim by three strokes after the Sugar Hill, Ga., native had a four-under 67. Defending champion Meredith Duncan is in second place at three-under 68, while a pair of golfers are tied for third at 69.

Battle, who prepped at Irmo High School and who will join the Lady Gamecocks next week, had a solid round of 36-35 in her even-par 70 showing. Battle is in a six-way tie for 13th place.

McPherson, the two-time defending Southeastern Conference Champion and first-team American, went 38-36 on the day with her three-over 74 leaving the Conway, S.C., native in a 10-way tie for 40th place.

The U.S. Women’s Amateur is one of 13 championships conducted by the United States Golf Association each year, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs. The U.S. Women’s Amateur is open to female amateur golfers who have USGA handicap indexes not exceeding 5.4. Entries closed June 19.