Strong back nine helps Jayhawks stay in third heading into final round of Ron Moore Intercollegiate
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DENVER, Colo. – The Kansas women’s golf team used a strong back nine to stay in the top five at the conclusion of day two of the Ron Moore Intercollegiate, finishing Saturday’s second round in third place (13-over 301). Kansas heads into the final round 16-over par, 19 strokes behind leader Colorado State.
It was the final nine holes that helped the Jayhawks stay within striking distance of the leaders as they recorded eight birdies after the turn.
Junior Yi-Tsen Chou led KU in scoring, shooting a 3-over-75, including an even performance on the back nine, which helped her secure a ninth place tie as play ended on day two. Sophomore Sera Tadokoro improved from round one as she stayed even through four holes, but went on to card four consecutive bogeys to put her at 4-over at the turn. She also recorded two birdies on holes no. 11 and 12 and finished even on the back nine to finish 4-over on the day.
Senior Ariadna Fonseca Diaz couldn’t quite get a groove going early as she went 5-over on the front nine including four bogeys, but much like her KU teammates, she bounced back with three birdies after the turn to finish at 2-over on the round and a spot in the top 15 heading into the last day of action as she is tied for 14th. Fellow senior Chomchana Phuchanbanchob shot 1-under on the back nine with two birdies of her own to finish at 4-over for the day.
Freshman Pear Pooratanaopa struggled to maintain her stellar play in the opening round as she fell to 31st place, shooting 6-over in Saturday’s second round.
Representing the individual spot for Kansas, redshirt freshman Aristelle Acuff couldn’t move up the leaderboard as she finished the day in 88th place.
QUOTES
HEAD COACH ERIN O’NEIL
Q: Were you encouraged on how the team played on the back nine?
ERIN O’NEIL: We had a tough start on the front nine, but we pulled it together and turned it around on the back nine. It really came down to getting our heads in the right place. The hole locations were very tricky and we put ourselves in some difficult situations starting out. I was pleased to see everyone keep fighting and play more up to our capabilities.
Q. What needs to be done tomorrow to make a push past UC Davis and Colorado State?
ERIN O’NEIL: Tomorrow we have to do better on par fives and stay smart with our approach shots in general. The weather is supposed to be pretty cold, so par will be our friend and we don’t need to do anything fancy.
NOTES
- All Jayhawks except one went even par or better on the back nine
- Ariadna Fonseca Diaz is tied for 14th place heading into the final round. The senior has finished 15th or higher five times in her career.
UP NEXT
Kansas will return to action on Sunday for the final round the Ron Moore Intercollegiate. Follow the live updates here.
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