Oct. 28, 2011

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The South Carolina women’s golf team fought through tough playing conditions on Friday in the first round of the Landfall Tradition to shoot a 307 (+19) at the Country Club of Landfall’s Jack Nicklaus Course.

The Gamecocks finished the day in fifth place and are 10 shots back of tournament leader Auburn (297). Carolina is just three shots behind second-place Purdue (304).

Windy conditions left the field fighting for red numbers, as only one golfer finished the day under par.

“It was a very windy day and the golf course played tough,” South Carolina head coach Kalen Harris said. “I am pleased with the way the team fought hard all day in difficult conditions. We will do very well on this course if we continue to keep that mentality over the next two days.”

Junior Amanda Strang posted a 3-over 75 to lead the Gamecocks on Friday. Strang struggled early with bogeys on four of her first six holes but she settled down and made two birdies and 10 pars the rest of the way to end the day in a tie for eighth, four strokes off the lead.

Senior Katie Burnett carded a 76 (+4) and is tied for 13th. Burnett birdied hole No. 3 to move to 1-under early in the round but she recorded bogeys on four of the next six holes to make the turn at 3-over. The Brunswick, Ga., native then put together a string of seven straight pars before making a bogey on the 17th to drop to 4-over, where she finished the day.

Junior Meredith Swanson and sophomore Katie Rose Higgins each shot a 6-over 78 and are in a tie for 32nd, while sophomore Samantha Swinehart turned in an 81 (+9) for the Gamecocks.

Purdue’s Paula Reto fired the only round under par on the day, a 1-under 71, to take the first-round lead. Auburn’s Victoria Trapani is in second after posting a 72 (E).

The Gamecocks are paired with Notre Dame and Ohio State for Saturday’s second round and will tee off at 9:30 a.m. on hole No. 1.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTS
T8. Amanda Strang 75
T13. Katie Burnett 76
T32. Meredith Swanson 78
T32. Katie Rose Higgins 78
T66. Samantha Swinehart 81

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Auburn 297
2. Purdue 304
T3. Notre Dame 306
T3. North Carolina 306
5. South Carolina 307
6. Ohio State 308
7. Chattanooga 309
T8. Wake Forest 311
T8. North Carolina State 311
10. Michigan State 312
11. Duke 314
T12. Iowa State 315
T12. Florida State 315
T12. Mississippi 315
15. Tulane 317
16. Northwestern 320
17. Virginia 321
18. UNC Wilmington 322