MARICOPA, Ariz. (April 6, 2017) -- The University of Wyoming women's golf team opened the 2017 Cowgirl Classic with an impressive 293 (+5) on Thursday morning. The round was not only the best of the season, but tied for the second lowest team score in program history. UW then closed out the first day of the annual tournament with a second-round 308 (+20) and currently sit in sixth-place of the 18-team field with a 601 (+25).
"I am very proud of the girls to start the tournament very confidently and aggressive, UW head coach
Josey Stender said. "Erin (Sargent) and Megan (Knadler) were rock solid all day and adjusted to the changing conditions the course had throughout the day. We will need to be aware of the course firming up with the weather tomorrow and how that can impact our decision making. I also want the team to continue to feel confident as the tournament closes."
Freshman
Erin Sargent leads the Brown and Gold charge after the first day. Sargent posted scores of 73 (+1) and 74 (+2) for a total 147 (+3). She is the lone Cowgirl in the top-ten after Thursday and led the team with eight birdies at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Course. Sophomore
Megan Knadler fired a team-best 72 (E) during the first round and closed out the day with a 76 (+4). Right in the middle of contention with Sargent, Knadler is tied for 12th with a 148 (+4).
Next up for UW is
Mackenzie Barrie. The senior is tied for 39th after an opening day 153 (+9). Barrie shot a 74 (+2) in the morning and finished with a 79 (+7), while
Gabrielle Gibson and
Sarah Hankins are close behind Barrie with a 155 (+11). Gibson opened the day with a 74 (+2) before an 81 (+9), as Hankins shot a 76 (+4) and 79 (+7), respectively.
Playing as individuals,
Taylor Dorans,
Michelle Romano,
Klara Castillo and
Amanda Hinchey round out the Cowgirl competitors. Dorans used a solid first nine to finish with a 156 (+12), as Romano topped a 164 (+20) for the Brown and Gold. Castillo is just behind with a 166 (+22), with Hinchey at 169 (+25) for Wyoming.
With the final round remaining, UC Irvine holds a two-shot lead at 586 (+10). Sacramento State is in second at 588 (+12). Julia Becker of Sacramento State and Jakeishya Le of UC Riverside are the individual leaders after the first round with a 142 (-2).
The final round of the Cowgirl Classic will be played on Friday morning with an 8:45 a.m. MT shotgun start. Live results can be found at the link above.
