Oct. 28, 2006

The South Carolina women’s golf team is tied for 10th after shooting a 23-over-par 311 in the first round at the Auburn Derby Invitational played at the par-72 Auburn University Club at Yarbrough Farms Saturday. The Gamecocks are 10 strokes behind tournament leader North Carolina. Friday’s first round was rained out, so the 17 teams in the field played 18 holes Saturday and will conclude the tournament with 18 holes Sunday.

Leading the way for Carolina is senior Jenna Pearson, who is tied for fourth on the individual leader board after shooting a three-over 75 Saturday. At three-over-par, Pearson trails tournament leader Margaret Shirley from Auburn by three strokes. Pearson started her day with a birdie on her opening hole and played steady golf the rest of the way.

Junior Blythe Worley was also solid Saturday and finds herself tied for 22nd after shooting a five-over-par 77. Worley’s day was highlighted by a birdie on the par-four 15th hole.

Freshman Taylor Barrett and junior Laura Raffo are in a cluster of players tied for 44th overall at seven-over-par. Barrett is in the Carolina lineup, with Raffo competing as an individual with her team not counting toward the team’s total.

Junior Whitney Simons and freshman Bénédicte Toumpsin were also in action for the Gameocks, with Simons coming in at eight over par and Toumpsin one stroke off Simons’ pace at nine over.

Team Leader Board
1. North Carolina: 301=301 (+13)
2. Auburn: 303=303 (+15)
3. LSU: 305=305 (+17)
4. Baylor: 306=306 (+18)
5. Alabama: 308=308 (+20)
T6. Mississippi: 309=309 (+21)
T6. Tennessee: 309=309 (+21)
T6. Florida State: 309=309 (+21)
9. Nebraska: 310=310 (+22)
T10. Furman: 311=311 (+23)
T10. South Carolina: 311=311 (+23)
12. Florida: 313=313 (+25)
13. Birmingham Southern: 315=315 (+27)
14. Mississippi State: 320=320 (+32)
15. Central Florida: 322=322 (+34)
16. Kansas: 327=327 (+39)
17. Texas: 334=334 (+46)

Gamecocks on the Individual Leader Board
T4. Jenna Pearson: 75=75 (+3)
T22. Blythe Worley: 77=77 (+5)
T44. Taylor Barrett: 79=79 (+7)
T44*. Laura Raffo: 79=79 (+7)
T55. Whitney Simons: 80=80 (+8)
T65. Bénédicte Toumpsin: 81=81 (+9)