Chou's steady play paces Jayhawks after day one of Briar's Creek Invite

JOHN’S ISLAND, S.C. – On a sunny day inside the Palmetto state, Kansas showed its balance and consistency after two-rounds at the Briar’s Creek Invitational at the par-72, 6,101 yard Golf Club at Briar’s Creek. The Jayhawks battled the 17-team field all day and moved up and down the leaderboard throughout 36 holes of play. KU hovered around the top-five, but currently sit in ninth place, firing a two-round score of 584 (+8). The Jayhawks came out hot during the opening round with an impressive score of 286, which included twenty total birdies.
 
Kansas was led by junior Yi-Tsen Chou, who finished tied for sixth and fired two rounds of under par golf with scores of 70 and 71, respectively. She came out firing with six birdies in round one for a 2-under 70 finish heading into round two. Chou didn’t let up as she worked her way up the leaderboard for a two-round score of 141 (-3) to place her inside the top-10.
 
Fellow upperclassmen and senior Chomchana “Cake” Phuchanbanchob continued her steady play and placed tied for 29th after two rounds, shooting 147 (+3). She shot even par golf in the opening round including two birdies with, her only blemish being a double bogey in the opening round. Phuchanbanchob racked up three more birdies in the second round but a handful of bogeys kept her out of the top-20.

Freshman Pear Pooratanaopa played solid golf as she carded rounds of 73 and 75 for a two-round score of 148 (+4). The Thailand native hit for par on 27-of-36 holes and hit on three birdies which is good for a tie in 34th place.

After a solid opening round shooting even par, sophomore Sera Tadokoro couldn’t card any birdies in the second round, but still sits within the top-50, tied for 46th and shooting 149 (+5) after two rounds.

Redshirt sophomore Aristelle Acuff showed resiliency and fight after seeing little action due to taking a redshirt last season. Acuff fired three consecutive birdies in round one and also shot even par but the highlight of the day was her sinking an eagle on hole number 18 in round two. She currently sits in a tie for 60th and shot 151 (+7)

Freshman Abby Glynn competed as an individual and shot rounds of 78 and 79. She sits in a tie for 81st after two rounds with a collective score of 157 (+13)

QUOTES
Head coach Erin O’Neil
On the girl’s overall play:
“The girls played very well in the first round. It’s always a great round when your high score is +1. We got a little tired towards the end of the second round and gave some shots away but we are still very much in contention going into the final round.”

On the stellar play of junior Yi-Tsen Chou:
“Yi-Tsen had a very solid day today and we are pleased with the progress we see her making on her game. She’s made some adjustments to her putting and I think she’s close to really breaking through with it. It was great to see her get back to back rounds under par which is definitely a good confidence boost for her mental game.”

On what to improve on heading into final round:
“Tomorrow we need to stay patient and focus on what is in our control. It’s supposed to be windy and cooler but that should be an advantage for us if we can stay mentally tough and take the bad breaks and good breaks in stride.”

UP NEXT
The Jayhawks continue the Briar’s Creek Invitational at the Golf Club at Briar Creek for the final round on Tuesday, March 19. The final round begins at 9 a.m. and can be followed here.

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