Sept. 9, 2007

HANAHAN, S.C. – With two players among the 17 who shot under par, South Carolina women’s golf holds sixth place in the 20-team Cougar Classic at Yeamans Hall Golf Club. Senior Whitney Simons posted a first-round 70 (-2) to earn a spot in a five-way tie for seventh place, four shots off the lead. Sophomore Bénédicte Toumpsin sits one stroke behind her teammate in a tie for 12th heading into Monday’s second round.

Making her collegiate debut, freshman Ericka Holmen carded a 73 (+1). Sophomore Taylor Barrett and senior Blythe Worley sit 11 strokes off the lead with matching rounds of 77. Worley was most efficent on her par 3s, averaging 2.75 (-1) on the shorter holes. Toumpsin’s five birdies were second-best among the field on day one.

Notre Dame’s Lisa Maunu leads the field after posting a 66 on day one, two strokes ahead of host College of Charleston’s Piona Puyo and defending Cougar Classic champion Florida State’s Whitney White. Alabama and LSU are tied for the team lead at 286 (-2) with a one-stroke lead over Notre Dame. The Gamecocks are five strokes off the pace at 291 (+3).