Jayhawks run into trouble early at the Briar’s Creek Invitational

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. — The Kansas women’s golf team dug themselves in a hole that they could not get out of Monday after day one of the Briar’s Creek Invitational placing in 18^th after the first two rounds.
 
Sophomore Ariadna Fonseca Diaz tops the leaderboard for the Jayhawks, tied for 41^st after shooting a four-over on the day. Diaz improved two strokes after her first round 75 and shot a 73 in the second round.
 
The next highest finishers for Kansas were freshman Yi-Tsen Chou and junior Pitsinee Winyarat, who both carded 10-overs, landing them in a tie for 70^th.
 
In her spring season debut, freshman Annika Cedo shot an 82 in the first round, and bounced back to improve nine strokes, shooting a 73, tying Diaz for lowest round by any of the Jayhawks on Monday.

“Ari and Annika both had solid rounds today by keeping their mental game strong and focusing on the process of each shot,” head coach Erin O’Neil said.

Sophomore Chomchana Phuchanbanchob shot both rounds in the 80s, which landed her at 20-over par and in 93^rd place.
 
As a team, the Jayhawks shot a 610 collectively and fired 21 birdies over the two rounds, led by Chou’s team-high six, and hope to stay competitive during the final day on Tuesday.
 
“Tomorrow (Tuesday), the goal will be the same for everyone,” O’Neil said. “We need to do a better job of focusing on what is in our control, be 100 percent committed to the shot at hand and to give our best effort until the last putt goes in the hole.”
 
Florida (-13) is in first place by 10 strokes, followed by Campbell (-3), Illinois (+1), Louisville (+2) and Miami (+2) to round out the top-five.
 
The event concludes tomorrow with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Live stats are available at GolfStat.com.

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