Sept. 25, 2011
University of New Mexico sophomore Sofia Hoglund is the surprise individual leader after two rounds of the 32nd Branch Law Firm Dick McGuire Invitational being played at the University of New Mexico Championship Course (par 73, 6,187 yards).
Playing as an individual, Hoglund carded nine birdies over the first 36 holes for a 7-under 139 (71-68). She has a two-shot lead over San Diego State’s Gina Clark entering Monday’s final round.
Hoglund’s dominance is startling considering she had an 81.71 stroke average in 14 rounds as a freshman in 2010-11 and did not qualify for the five-member team head coach Jill Trujillo assembled for the tournament. Hoglund’s low round last year was 75.
“I just hit it real well and put a lot of approach shots close to the pin,” said Hoglund, who needed a mere 25 putts during her 5-under-par second round.”
Hoglund’s total of 139 is one stroke shy of the tournament record for 36 holes that was set by New Mexico’s Kailin Downs and Oklahoma State’s Karin Sjodin in 2003.
Hoglund will attempt to become the sixth Lobo to take home the individual title, and the first since Jodi Ewart in 2008.
As a team, the UNM quintet didn’t fare quite as well. The Lobos are tied with Campbell for ninth place at 19-over 603 (305-298). New Mexico struggled to 12-over in the first round, and spent most of the gorgeous day in the lower third of the standings staging a late rally.
Sophomore Sammi Stevens sparked the Lobos’ climb up the leaderboard as her final swing of the day produced an uplifting eagle 2. She used a 7 iron to hole out from 147 yards on the par-4 fourth.
Stevens picked up four shots over the last four holes for a 2-under 71. She roared into a tie for fifth place at 1-under 145 (74-71).
Junior Beth Buchner also finished with a flurry, playing the final four holes in 2 under. She is tied for 19th at 149 (77-72) after shooting a 1-under 72 in the second round.
Seniors Rebecca Hellbom and Sarah Salvo are tied for 75th at 157.
UNM is 17 shots behind leader Northwestern. The Wildcats shot a 2-over 586 (290-296). They lead Denver by two strokes and TCU by three.
The final round gets underway Monday with a shotgun start beginning at 8 a.m. Admission is free.
Live scoring is available at GolfStat.com.