March 26, 2010
The 22nd-ranked University of New Mexico women’s golf team got off to a good start today in the first round of the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational in Austin, Texas, but could not sustain that strong play.
After spending the first part of the day near the top of the leaderboard, the Lobos slipped down the stretch and find themselves tied with Washington for 11th place after the first round.
UNM shot a 17-over 305 at the University of Texas Golf Club (par 72, 6,255 yards), and trails second-ranked UCLA by 10 shots entering Saturday’s second round.
Through 10 holes, the Lobos were 5-over as a team and among the leaders. However, the final eight holes proved to be not as rewarding as UNM was 12-over.
Senior Jodi Ewart, who came into the tournament ranked fourth in the nation with a scoring average of 71.12, suffered her worst round of the season with a 4-over 76. She had four bogeys and a birdie on the front nine.
Sophomore Sarah Salvo carded UNM’s low round of the day with a 75, tied for 22nd place. Salvo made bogey on 17 and 18 to end the day at 3-over.
Texas’ Shannon Fish and Sarah Zwartynski from Texas A&M share the individual lead at 70.
Sophomore Rebecca Hellbom finished with a 76. She was even on the day through 14 holes, but took bogey at 15 and 16 and made a double at 17.
Senior Britney Choy was 1-over on the front nine, but played the back in 5-over to finish with a 78. Freshman Bethany Buchner shot a 79 and was hurt by double bogeys at 9 and 11.
Saturday’s second round begins at 7:15 a.m. Mountain Time. Live stats are available at GolfStat.com.