Kansas in Third after Day One at Red Raider Invitational

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LUBBOCK, Texas – The Kansas women’s golf team finished the first day of the Red Raider Invitational in third place out of 14 teams with a two round 577 (+1), two strokes behind leader Brigham Young. KU senior Yupaporn “Mook” Kawinpakorn is also in position to claim an individual title, leading the 75-golfer field by three strokes.
 
Kansas’ position was largely attributed to its phenomenal second round play on the 6,541-yard, par-72 Rawls Course. KU carded a 282 (-6), the second-best score in the tournament and the second-lowest team 18-hole score in KU history, trailing the 281 achieved in the Schooner Classic in September 2015, which was a par-71 event. In the day’s second round three Jayhawks shot under-par: Kawinpakorn (66), freshman Ariadna Fonseca Diaz (71) and sophomore Lizzie Winyarat (71). Junior Pornvipa Sakdee and freshman Victoria Chandra provided support with their respective scores of 74 and 75.
 
“We talked to the team (Thursday) night about taking care of the little things that are in our control during the round and how that can make a big difference in how we compete,” KU head coach Erin O’Neil said. “They all did a great job of keeping their attitudes in check especially with the windy conditions and on greens that aren’t in the best shape and it paid off.”
 
Kawinpakorn is on pace for her second consecutive individual title, fifth of the year and sixth of her career. Like her previous win, last week at the DAC/SMU Invitational, Kawinpakorn’s strong second round vaulted her to first heading into the final round. With her 1-under 71 in Friday’s first round to go along with her 66 in the afternoon, Kawinpakorn has a three-shot lead over Kansas State’s Katherine Gravel-Coursol at 140 (-4).
 
“Mook had a great first round but felt like she left some birdie opportunities out there. She did a great job of staying patient and the putts started to fall for her on the second 18,” O’Neil said. “For her to earn another win she will need to stick to her game plan, continue to be patient, and not try to protect anything.”
 
Behind Kawinpakorn in the individual rankings for Kansas is Sakdee, whose 146 (+2) tied her for 15th place. Fonseca Diaz is not far behind as she is tied for 23rd after carding 148 (+4). Chandra stayed steady with a 75 in both rounds to score 150 (+6) and is tied for 38th. Winyarat recorded a 152 (+8) and is tied for 46th. Sophomore Kallie Gonzales, competing as an individual, shot 161 (+17) which is 70^th entering Saturday’s final round.
 
“The plan for tomorrow is to continue focusing on playing to our strengths, rolling with the breaks and with the bad breaks we will surely get and not hitting a shot unless we are completely committed to it,” O’Neil said. “Playing in the final group is why we work as hard as we do. Hopefully we can go out tomorrow with the mindset of enjoying where we are and embracing the challenge.”
 
The third and final round of the Red Raider Invitational will begin on Saturday with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Live stats can be found at GolfStat.com.
 
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