April 18, 2003

The 16th-ranked South Carolina Lady Gamecocks are only four shots behind the leader Tennessee, after the opening round of the 2003 SEC Championships, held at the University Club in Lexington, Kentucky. Defending their 2002 SEC Team Championship, USC shot a seven-over-par 295 in Friday’s opening round to stay within striking distance of the Lady Vols with two rounds still to be played. Last year, South Carolina placed second on the opening day before jumping into the lead on day two and winning its first SEC Title.

Two-time SEC Individual Medalist Kristy McPherson shot a four-under-par 68 to lead the field on Friday and was later named SEC Golfer of the Year at Friday night’s conference banquet. McPherson extended her SEC record of seven consecutive rounds of par-or-better golf with her season-low 68. The Conway, South Carolina native came within one stroke of tying her career best round (67) from her sophomore year at the SEC’s.

“I’m proud of the way our team played today,” said Gamecocks head coach Kristi Coggins. “We’re exactly where we talked about being after the first day. We gave a few shots away at the end and that keeps us hungry. We know that we’re on our game now and are excited about coming back tomorrow.”

South Carolina enters day two of the 2003 SEC Championships on Saturday with the five golfers teeing off in the last grouping from 11:30 through 12:10 p.m.

Team Totals
1st Tennessee 291 +3
2nd South Carolina 295 +7
3rd Florida 296 +8
4th Arkansas 297 +9

1st Kristy McPherson 68 -4
T9th Adrienne Gautreaux 73 +1
T20th Kacy Thompson 76 +4
T31st Tiffany Catafygiotu 78 +6
T53rd Marci Robinson 84 +12