May 18, 2010
Wilmington, N.C. – It was a tough first day for the University of New Mexico Lobos at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships. UNM shot an opening-round 303 (+15) at the Country Club of Landfall Dye Course (par 72, 6,368 yards), good for 22nd place in the 24-team field.
The Lobos trail Southern California by 21 shots. USC fired a 6-under 282 and holds a two-shot lead over Purdue (284). No other teams were able to break par.
“It was not our best effort, but we are pretty good at coming back,” said head coach Jill Trujillo. “I didn’t expect this at all today, but the putts weren’t dropping for us and we knew it would be a putting contest. That’s the good thing about the national championship. It’s four days long.”
Southern Cal’s Jennifer Song, Purdue’s Maude-Aimee LeBlanc and Arizona State’s Jennifer Johnson shot 67 to share the first-round lead. Song had an eagle 3 on 18 while Johnson birdied four of the last six holes.
New Mexico senior Jodi Ewart shot 73 (37-36), matching her best score in nine career rounds at the NCAA Championships. She posted UNM’s low score of the day by draining lengthy putts to save par on the final two holes.
“The greens were a lot slower than what I expected,” said Ewart. “I’m hitting a lot more greens than I did last week, but the putts weren’t going in. Hopefully, tomorrow will be different.”
Senior Britney Choy, UNM’s top finisher at last year’s NCAA Championships in Owings Mills, Md., shot 74 (37-37). Choy saved par eight times in nine opportunities when her approach shot missed the green.
“My short game saved me all day,” said Choy. “My putting came back. I only hit nine greens, but I was eight of nine up-and-down with two sand saves. I was pretty steady all day. Pars are good but birdies will help tomorrow.”
Sophomore Sarah Salvo was 1-over after 11 holes, and then had a tough stretch where she lost five shots over the next four holes. She finished with a 78 (37-41).
Freshman Bethany Buchner also shot 78 (39-39). She was 1-over after seven holes, but made a double bogey on 18 and then had three straight bogeys on 2, 3 and 4.
Sophomore Rebecca Hellbom was six over after the first eight holes and finished with an 80, tying the highest score in her last 16 rounds.
The Lobos begin second round play Wednesday at 6:55 a.m. Mountain Time. UNM will again be paired with Alabama and Duke. Live stats are available at GolfStat.com.