Powers Leads KU Women's Golf On First Day At Big 12 Championship
April 25, 2008
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STILLWATER, Okla. – Emily Powers has been the leader of the Kansas women’s golf team all season long and the first round of the Big 12 Championship was no different on Friday.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
The sophomore shot a team-best 80 to lead the Jayhawks on the first day of the league championships on a difficult Karsten Creek golf course. Powers is in a tie for 13th place individually, while Kansas is in seventh place in the team race.
“Emily played solid with a couple of hiccups on some tee balls that got her in trouble,” O’Neil said. “I was proud of her though as she stayed in it. And she is among the top 15 individually.”
Host OklahomaState boasts the top three individuals and the Cowgirls own a comfortable first-round lead. OSU shot 303, while Texas A&M is in second place with a 315. Kansas shot 333 as a team.
“It was a tough day with the weather conditions on a difficult golf course,” said KU head coach Erin O’Neil. “We had 20-30 mile per hour winds. The greens here are very fast and if you get the ball in the wrong place you are pretty much guaranteed a three-putt.”
Powers recorded four birdies in her round, including the par-five first and 18th holes. She also carded birdies on two par fours, recording threes on number five and number 12. However, she also had two double-bogeys in her round.
Teammate Grace Thiry produced a highlight for the Jayhawks as she recorded an eagle knocking in a seven iron from 129 yards on the fourth hole.
“I was with her,” O’Neil said. “The ball hopped once on the green, hit the flagstick and went straight down into the hole.”
Meghna Bal finished with an 83 and is tied for 28th, Annie Giangrosso is tied for 33rd at 84 and Thiry is in 43rd at 86 to round out the scoring for Kansas. Sydney Wilson’s 87 did not count in the best four of five scoring format. Wilson is tied for 44th place.
“They did a good job and kept their heads into it and had good attitudes,” O’Neil said of her team. “We have two more rounds. The wind Friday was completely opposite from the practice day, so hopefully we can learn from the last two days and keep working.”
The tournament features eight teams ranked in Golfstat’s top 50, including 14th-ranked OklahomaState and 24th-listed Texas A&M. Others include #33 Texas, #41 Oklahoma, #43 Texas Tech, #44 Nebraska, #49 Iowa State, and #50 Missouri.
The 54-hole tournament will continue with the second round on Saturday and the final 18 holes on Sunday.
Live scoring of the tournament is provided at www.golfstat.com. Complete results will be posted at www.kuathletics at the conclusion of each day.
Team Standings
1. Oklahoma State 303
2. Texas A&M 315
3. Missouri 317
4. Texas 321
5. Nebraska 326
6. Iowa State 331
7. Kansas 333
8. Texas Tech 334
9. Kansas State 335
9. Oklahoma 335
11. Baylor 344
12. Colorado 351
Individual Leaders
1. Jaclyn Sweeney, OSU 74
2. Pernilla Lindberg, OSU 75
3. Karin Kinnerud, OSU 76
4. Hannah Burke, BU 77
4. Shannon Fish, UT 77
4. Michelle Regan, KSU 77
4. Sara Zwartynski, A&M 77
Kansas Individuals
T13. Emily Powers 80
T28. Meghna Bal 83
T33. Annie Giangrosso 84
43. Grace Thiry 86
T44. Sydney Wilson 87
