April 25, 2008

Day One Results

STILLWATER, Okla. - Emily Powers has been the leader of the Kansas women's golf team all season long and the first round of the Big 12 Championship was no different on Friday.

The sophomore shot a team-best 80 to lead the Jayhawks on the first day of the league championships on a difficult Karsten Creek golf course.  Powers is in a tie for 13th place individually, while Kansas is in seventh place in the team race.

"Emily played solid with a couple of hiccups on some tee balls that got her in trouble," O'Neil said.  "I was proud of her though as she stayed in it. And she is among the top 15 individually."

Host Oklahoma State boasts the top three individuals and the Cowgirls own a comfortable first-round lead.  OSU shot 303, while Texas A&M is in second place with a 315.  Kansas shot 333 as a team.

"It was a tough day with the weather conditions on a difficult golf course," said KU head coach Erin O'Neil.  "We had 20-30 mile per hour winds.  The greens here are very fast and if you get the ball in the wrong place you are pretty much guaranteed a three-putt."

Powers recorded four birdies in her round, including the par-five first and 18^th holes.  She also carded birdies on two par fours, recording threes on number five and number 12.  However, she also had two double-bogeys in her round.

Teammate Grace Thiry produced a highlight for the Jayhawks as she recorded an eagle knocking in a seven iron from 129 yards on the fourth hole.

"I was with her," O'Neil said.  "The ball hopped once on the green, hit the flagstick and went straight down into the hole."

Meghna Bal finished with an 83 and is tied for 28th, Annie Giangrosso is tied for 33^rd at 84 and Thiry is in 43^rd at 86 to round out the scoring for Kansas.  Sydney Wilson's 87 did not count in the best four of five scoring format.  Wilson is tied for 44^th place.

"They did a good job and kept their heads into it and had good attitudes," O'Neil said of her team.  "We have two more rounds.  The wind Friday was completely opposite from the practice day, so hopefully we can learn from the last two days and keep working."

The tournament features eight teams ranked in Golfstat's top 50, including 14^th-ranked Oklahoma State and 24^th-listed Texas A&M.  Others include #33 Texas, #41 Oklahoma, #43 Texas Tech, #44 Nebraska, #49 Iowa State, and #50 Missouri.

The 54-hole tournament will continue with the second round on Saturday and the final 18 holes on Sunday.

Live scoring of the tournament is provided at www.golfstat.com.  Complete results will be posted at www.kuathletics at the conclusion of each day.

Team Standings

1. Oklahoma State                       303

2. Texas A&M                              315

3. Missouri                                  317

4. Texas                                     321

5. Nebraska                                326

6. Iowa State                              331

7. Kansas                                           333

8. Texas Tech                             334

9. Kansas State                           335

9. Oklahoma                                335

11. Baylor                                   344

12. Colorado                               351    

Individual Leaders

1. Jaclyn Sweeney, OSU                74

2. Pernilla Lindberg, OSU                75

3. Karin Kinnerud, OSU                  76

4. Hannah Burke, BU                     77

4. Shannon Fish, UT                     77

4. Michelle Regan, KSU                  77

4. Sara Zwartynski, A&M               77

Kansas Individuals

T13. Emily Powers                        80

T28. Meghna Bal                          83

T33. Annie Giangrosso                   84

43. Grace Thiry                            86

T44. Sydney Wilson                      87