Florida is currently second after balancing its first two rounds at the Dale McNamara Invitational on Monday.
The Gators shot a 285 (-3) in the first round but carded a 291 (+3) in the second, resulting in a four-stroke deficit to first-place Arizona State after Day 1 of the 15-team tournament.
Strong outings by sophomore Camilla Hedberg and senior Isabelle Lendl helped put the Gators in second place after the Sun Devils posted the day’s lone under-par team score.
Hedberg tied a team low by carding a 67 (-5) with four birdies and an eagle against one bogey.
“Camilla and Isabelle each had a great round in the morning and afternoon, respectively,” coach Emily Bastel said. “Those rounds kept us in the golf tournament.”
Lendl ended her first round with a 71 (-1), carding four bogeys.
She birdied her final three holes to close out a promising showing.
She carried the momentum of her final three holes of the first round into the second, starting with another three straight birdies.
The senior posted a 67 (-5), including seven birdies.
Lendl’s combined 138 (-6) was good for first place on the individual leaderboard. Hedberg totaled 140 (-4) on the day, tying her for second with Jayde Panos of Oklahoma State.
In spite of Lendl and Hedberg’s strong performances, support from the rest of the Gators was sparse.
“Overall, it wasn’t our best day, but we are looking forward to tomorrow and glad we are in the hunt,” Bastel said.
Senior Mia Piccio posted a 76 (+4) in Monday’s second round to bring her tourney total to 148 (+4).
Piccio bogeyed two holes and double-bogeyed another. She is currently tied for 20th.
Freshman Ursa Orehek carded a 75 (+3) in the second round to bring her two-round total to 155 (+11).
Sophomore Anna Young finished the day with a score of 76 (+4) for a two-day total of 151 (+7).
Young bogeyed on three separate occasions in the second round and double-bogeyed the sixth hole.
The Gators will pick up play today for the third and final round of the invitational. Florida trails Arizona State by four strokes.
“I am proud of the girls for hanging in there on a long 36-hole day,” Bastel said.
“It is, obviously, physically tiring, but even more mentally tiring. But we will be ready to go tomorrow.”
