April 4, 2006
Led by freshman Mikaela Backstedt’s 2-under 70, the 26th-ranked University of New Mexico women’s golf team increased its lead over 10th-ranked UNLV after two rounds of the BYU Dixie Classic in St. George, Utah.
The Lobos shot a 19-over 307 today and are at 606, increasing their advantage to 11 shots over the Lady Rebels. UNLV had a 316 in the second round for a two-day total of 617. Host BYU, matching UNM’s 307 total, is 16 shots back at 622. The Lobos are gunning for their 14th team title since the spring of 2000.
The final round gets underway Wednesday at 8 a.m. MDT on the par-72 Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club. Live stats and results are available at www.golfstat.com. This is the same course that will host the Mountain West Conference Championships later this month.
Backstedt was the only golfer to break par today as she navigated the challenging layout in 70, handing her a two-day total of even-par 144. Backstedt was actually 4-under after a birdie at 13, but she suffered consecutive bogeys on 14 and 15. She is looking for her second collegiate win.
First-round leader Seema Sadekar of UNLV began the day at 2-under, but jumped to a 77 today. She is three strokes behind Backstedt at 3-over 147.
Going four over on the final three holes, Lobo sophomore Giselle Claus soared to an 82 today. She began the day tied for second after tying a career-low with an even-par 72 in the first round. Claus and freshman teammate Morgan Grantham are tied for 10th place at 10-over 154.
Freshman Py Bengtsson is tied for 19th at 157 while sophomore Alexandra Phelps is a shot back at 158, tying for 22nd.