May 10, 2008

LINCOLN, Calif. - Kansas golfer Emily Powers said after Friday's round, she thought she could shoot a low score on Saturday at the NCAA West Golf Regional.  The sophomore backed up her words, firing a one-under par 71 to close the three-day event with a 228 total.

Powers, who qualified for the event as an individual, shot rounds of 80-77-71 for her 228 total, which tied her for 56^th place overall.  She improved 31 places as she was in a tie for 87^th after the first two rounds.

Powers once again closed her round strong.  Starting her 18 on the 12^th hole, she recorded back-to-back bogeys on #14 and #15 and went to three-over par after bogeying the first hole, her eighth hole of the round.

After running off five straight pars, Powers birdied the 151-yard seventh hole, carded an eagle on the 452-yard eighth hole and added a birdie on her final hole with a two on the 137-yard 11^th to finish one-under par for the day.

"Everything was just working out," Powers said.  "I was able to finish strong.  My putting was good and I wasn't as nervous as I had been."

Her under-par round was one of just 16 rounds under par on the final day on the Lincoln Hills Golf Club Course.

USC won the team title by 15 shots over Arizona State.  In all, eight teams and two individuals advanced to the NCAA Championship based on their play at the regional.  Among those advancing were Big 12 school Oklahoma State, which tied for fifth.  Oklahoma, the other Big 12 school competing, did not make the top eight.

Powers is already looking forward to Kansas qualifying for the regional next year.

"Next year when the team gets here, it won't be as nerve-wracking for me because I will have been there," Powers said.