March 14, 2006
Led by freshman Mikaela Backstedt’s 3-under 69, the 24th-ranked University of New Mexico women’s golf team posted its lowest total of the season to move into fourth place after two rounds of the UNLV Spring Rebel Invitational. The Lobos fired an even-par 288 today, a 13-shot improvement from Monday.
After a stellar round that featured four birdies and just one bogey, Backstedt is tied with Kay Hoey of Long Beach State for the individual lead at 4-under 140. Hoey, the first-round leader, shot even par today. Backstedt will be gunning for her second collegiate tournament win on Wednesday.
New Mexico had the low team score of the day, and has a two-day total of 589. The Lobos trail leader and host UNLV by 10 shots, however, UNM is just four strokes behind second-place Long Beach State (585). Campbell is third at 588. BYU is in fifth at 593.
The third and final round starts Wednesday at 9 a.m. MST on the par-72, 6,153-yard Boulder Creek Golf Club in Boulder City, Nev. Complete results and daily live stats are available at www.golfstat.com.
The Lobos’ scored could have been even better as they reached 6-under par through No. 14. However, the final three holes were somewhat unkind as UNM gave those six shots back to finish at even for the day. New Mexico’s previous low score this year was a 289 in the second round of the season at the Ram Fall Classic in Fort Collins, Colo.
The rest of the Lobos were models of consistency as well. Freshman Py Bengtsson had a 1-under 71 and is tied for 17th at 148. UNM’s other competitors – sophomore Giselle Claux, freshman Morgan Grantham and sophomore Alexandra Phelps – all came in at 2-over 74. It equalled a career best for Grantham, who is tied for 27th at 6-over 150.