Kawinpakorn Tied for First after Day One at Big 12 Championship

AUSTIN, Texas – After firing a 3-under 69, Kansas sophomore Yupaporn “Mook” Kawinpakorn is in a tie for the individual lead after the first round of the 2014 Big 12 Women’s Golf Championship at the University of Texas Golf Club Friday.

The 42^nd ranked Kansas women’s golf team currently sits in a tie for fourth with a first round 297 (+9). The Jayhawks are tied with Baylor and host Texas in the nine-team field. Seventh-ranked Oklahoma leads the event after posting a 291 (+3). Kansas State is two shots back at 293 (+5) followed by Texas Tech at 295 (+7) on the par-72 course.

“We are heading into a good position heading into the second round,” head coach Erin O’Neil said. “This is a challenging golf course and overall we handled ourselves well. It’s supposed to be windier tomorrow and we will need to be mentally tough in addition to having good course management to continue to move up the leaderboard.”

After shooting an even-par on the front nine with three bogies and three birdies, Mook shot 3-under on the back nine. Mook currently is in a tie for first with Oklahoma’s Chirapat Jao-Javani in the 44-competitor field. Her 69 round marks the third time this season Mook has shot in the 60’s and the fourth time she has shot under par.

“Mook played great today,” O’Neil said. “She’s hitting the ball the best I’ve ever seen her hit. She’s mentally in a great place right now.”

Kansas junior Minami Levonowich, senior Meghan Potee and freshman Pornvipa “Faii” Sakdee all finished Friday’s first round with a 76 (+4), placing them in a tie for 24^th. Levonowich ended the day with two birdies, while Potee carded three and Faii one.

Rounding out the Jayhawk five is senior Thanuttra “Fhong” Boonraksasat who ended her first round with an 82 (+10), placing her in 43^rd. Fhong struggled early but found her groove on the back nine where she went two-over par after.

The Big 12 Championship will continue with 18 holes, Saturday, April 26, and conclude with 18 final holes on Sunday, April 27. On Saturday, Kansas will be paired with Baylor and Texas for the second straight round.

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