KU Women's Golf in First Place Following Day One of Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational
Sept. 24, 2012
MSSI Results 
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas freshman Yupaporn Kawinpakorn shot a one-over par 73 in both rounds of the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational to lead the KU women’s golf team to a first place score of 601 (+25) at the Alvamar Golf Course Monday.
The Jayhawks shot a 303 (+15) in the morning round and a 298 (+10) in the afternoon, as play will continue with the final round Tuesday morning with an 8:15 shotgun start. Arkansas State is in second place with a two-round total 617.
“I am very encouraged by what I’ve seen,” Kansas head coach Erin O’Neil said. “We played better in the second round than in the first round, but overall we’ve improved from last season to this season. Our stroke average last year was a 310 and we’ve knocked down quite a bit off of that. Our mental attitudes were good–we made good choices out there.”
Kawinpakorn’s two-round 146 has her in second among individuals, trailing Abigail Laker of Arkansas State who is at 143 (74-69). Her place as a Jayhawk looks bright, as this is only the freshman’s second collegiate tournament.
“She has got a very solid golf swing and a great short game–she was a lot of fun to watch today,” O’Neil said about Kawinpakorn.
Kansas Junior Thanuttra Boonraksasat and sophomore Gabby DiMarco also came out strong for the Jayhawks, both tying for fourth among individuals at 149 (+5). Boonraksasat shot a 77 in the first round and 72 in the second, while DiMarco shot a 74 in the first round and a 75 in the second.
“I think we really kept our heads as a team, which is the most important thing especially when you’re hosting a tournament like this,” O’Neil said. “I think we did a good job of staying within ourselves and taking it one at a time.”
KU junior Meghan Potee enters Tuesday’s final round tied for 18th after shooting a 79-78 for a 157. Jayhawk senior Aurdrey Yowell is tied for 24th after carding an 81-78 for a 159.
The rest of the Jayhawks also made their mark today as some competed individually in their first collegiate tournament of 2011-12.
Sophomore Michelle Woods is tied for 37th after shooting 82-80 for a 162. Freshman Ann Kathrin Wuensch is tied for 46th after carding an 85-79 for a 164. Freshman Mackenzie Thayer is 54th after shooting an 83 in rounds one and two for a 166 and freshman Carly Humes is in 73rd after carding a 96-91 for a 187.
“Everything looks good in terms of winning the tournament, but it’s never done until the last putt falls on the 18th hole tomorrow,” O’Neil said. “We’re just going to stick to our game plan and stay in the present and take it one at a time and see what happens because there’s still some good teams that could come back.”
Kansas leads the 13-team field after day one with a score of 601. Arkansas State is 16 shots back and sits second with a 617. Arkansas State’s Abigail Laker leads all individuals with a two-round score of 143 (74-69).
Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational
Team
1. University of Kansas 303-298–601
2. Arkansas State Univ.315-302–617
3. Kansas State 305-314–619
4. Middle Tennessee St. 317-309–626
5. Illinois State Univ. 321-309–630
Individuals
1. Abigail Laker, Arkansas State – 74-69–143
2. Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, Kansas – 73-73–146
3. Amy Anderson, ND State – 75-72–147
T4. T. Boonraksasat, Kansas – 77-72–149
T4. Emelie Westrup, UALR – 74-75–149
T4. Gabby DiMarco, Kansas – 74-75–149
Other Kansas Individuals
T18. Meghan Potee – 79-78–157
T24. Audrey Yowell – 81-78–159
T37. Michelle Woods – 82-80–162
T46. Ann Kathrin Wuensch – 85-79–164
54. Mackenzie Thayer – 83-83–166
73. Carly Humes – 96-91–187
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