March 8, 2013

Results

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — The South Carolina women’s golf team posted a 314 (+30) on Friday afternoon to open play at the second annual Darius Rucker Intercollegiate at Long Cove Club.

The Gamecocks, who are in 14th place with two rounds left to play, were the first team to tee off and had to battle through the roughest conditions of the day with high winds. Only four rounds of par or better were recorded on the afternoon, and the average score for the round was 77.27.

“These are the days in golf that make us hungry to redeem ourselves,” South Carolina head coach Kalen Harris said. “I believe this group will be resilient.”

Junior Suzie Lee carded the low round of the day for the Gamecocks, shooting a 4-over 75. Lee finished the day in a tie for 27th, recording one birdie, five bogeys and 12 pars.

Freshman Chelsey Couch, who is playing as an individual, is in a tie for 34th after shooting a 5-over 76. Couch finished the round with a team-best five birdies but also had five bogeys, two double bogeys and six pars.

Senior Meredith Swanson turned in the next lowest round with an 8-over 79. Swanson, who is in a tie for 52nd, recorded two birdies, three bogeys, three double bogeys and 10 pars for her round.

Sophomore Justine Dreher and freshman Mary Fran Hillow are tied for 57th after each turning in an 80 (+9). Freshman Sarah Schmelzel shot an 82 (+11) and is tied for 71st, and junior Samantha Swinehart, who is playing as an individual, is in a tie for 78th after shooting an 87 (+16).

Eighth-ranked Arkansas shot a 293 (+9) to take a two-stroke lead over No. 3 North Carolina (295) and LSU (295) into the second round. Vanderbilt (296), Alabama (297), Tennessee (297) and Arizona State (297) round out the top five. Arkansas’ Emma Lavy is on top of the individual leaderboard after firing a 3-under 68, the only round under par on the day.

The Gamecocks will tee off in the second round on Saturday, beginning at 8:48 a.m. off the 10th tee. South Carolina will be paired with Furman and Auburn. Live scoring will be available through both Golf Gamebook and Golfstat.