April 10, 2010
In Tempe, Ariz., the 24th-ranked University of New Mexico women’s golf team had a solid day, but fell back into eighth place after two rounds of the PING/ASU Invitational. Playing in a tournament that has 12 of the nation’s top-29 teams competing, UNM shot a 6-over 294 on the par-72, 6,230-yard Karsten Golf Course for a 36-hole total of 585.
The Lobos, who started the round in a four-way tie for fourth, just couldn’t keep up with a pair of higher-ranked teams they were tied with at the start of the day. Top-ranked UCLA and No. 21 Denver each covered the desert layout in 2-under 286 to move into a tie for third place at 577.
UNM, however, is just four shots out of fifth currently held by Arizona (581).
New Mexico remains in front of four teams ranked higher in the March 31 Golfstat.com poll: No. 5 Alabama, No. 9 Pepperdine, No. 13 Stanford and No. 14 California.
Third-ranked and host Arizona State increased its team lead to six shots over No. 6 Southern California. The Sun Devils are at 565, USC 571.
Final round action begins Sunday at 8:30 a.m. MDT. Live stats are available at GolfStat.com.
Lobo sophomore Rebecca Hellbom shot a 1-under 71 for the second straight day and is tied for 10th at 2-under 142. Hellbom had a wild front nine, posting an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole, plus two birdies and three bogeys to go out in 1-under 34. She settled in on the back nine with nine straight pars.
Hellbom is five shots behind Tulsa’s Kristina Merkle, who is at 7-under 137 after shooting 69 today.
UNM senior Jodi Ewart is at 144, tied for 19th. After bogeys on 9, 10 and 12, Ewart birdied 13, 14 and 17 to finish with her second straight even-par round.
Freshman Bethany Buchner is tied for 45th at 150 (74-76). She was 1-over through 15 holes, but closed with bogeys on the final three holes.
Senior Britney Choy improved by two strokes today, carding a 75. She is at 152 (77-75) and tied for 57th.
Sophomore Sarah Salvo is tied for 67th at 154 (74-80) while sophomore Erin Miller, competing as an individual, is alone in 77th at 157 (75-82).