April 21, 2012

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The South Carolina women’s golf team carded a 308 (+20) on Saturday in the second round of the 2012 SEC Championship at the Blessings Golf Club.

The Gamecocks moved one spot up the leaderboard to seventh place with a score of 624 (+48). Saturday’s playing conditions proved to be just as challenging as the first round with only one golfer recording a round under par.

“We hung in there today,” South Carolina head coach Kalen Harris said. “Katie Burnett and Justine Dreher played solid for us. Samantha Swinehart came back well from yesterday’s round too. This golf course is extremely challenging, and a lot can change quickly on the leaderboard within a few holes. We will remain positive and keep battling again tomorrow.”

Freshman Justine Dreher and senior Katie Burnett each posted a 3-over 75 to lead the way for the Gamecocks. Dreher moved into a tie for 14th with a score of 152 (+8), while Burnett is tied for 22nd with a score of 155 (+11). Dreher recorded two birdies, five bogeys and 11 pars for the round. Burnett played steady golf for most of the day as she was even through 14 holes. However, she made a bogey and a double bogey on two of her next three holes to drop to 4-over. Burnett bounced back to finish the day on a positive note, recording birdie on the par-4 11th to head into the clubhouse at 3-over.

Sophomore Samantha Swinehart and junior Amanda Strang shot 77 (+5) and 81 (+9), respectively, and are in a tie for 31st with a score of 158 (+14). Swinehart’s round consisted of three birdies, six bogeys, a double bogey and eight pars, while Strang recorded three birdies, eight bogeys, a quadruple bogey and six pars.

Junior Meredith Swanson turned in an 82 (+10) and is tied for 45th with a score of 163 (+19).

Auburn posted a 9-over 297 to take the lead heading into the final round with a score of 603 (+27). Arkansas is one stroke off the lead with a score of 604 (+28), followed by Alabama (609), Florida (612) and Georgia (614).

Auburn’s Patricia Sanz shot a 1-over 73 to take the outright lead after being tied at the beginning of the round. Sanz has a two-round total of 142 (-2), which is one shot ahead of Vanderbilt’s Marina Alex (143).

The Gamecocks will tee off in the final round on Sunday beginning at 8:50 a.m. CT. Carolina will be paired with Mississippi and Kentucky. Live scoring will be available at golfstatresults.com.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTS
T14. Justine Dreher 77-75=152 (+8)
T22. Katie Burnett 80-75=155 (+11)
T31. Amanda Strang 77-81=158 (+14)
T31. Samantha Swinehart 81-77=158 (+14)
T45. Meredith Swanson 81-82=163 (+19)

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Auburn 306-297=603 (+27)
2. Arkansas 309-295=604 (+28)
3. Alabama 297-312=609 (+33)
4. Florida 307-305=612 (+36)
5. Georgia 308-306=614 (+38)
6. LSU 310-309=619 (+43)
7. South Carolina 315-308=623 (+47)
T8. Mississippi 309-315=624 (+48)
T8. Kentucky 317-307=624 (+48)
10. Vanderbilt 318-307=625 (+49)
11. Tennessee 320-309=629 (+53)
12. Mississippi State 315-326=641 (+65)