Lakewood Ranch, Fla. (Oct. 15, 2023) --  The second day of competition at the Pat Bradley Invitational in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., saw the Wyoming Cowgirls lower their team score by nine strokes and put them within striking distance of several teams as they head into Monday's third and final round in 11th place.  Wyoming shot a 299 (+11) round on Sunday, which was the fifth best round of the day in the field of 12 teams.  Graduate Morgan Ryan fired the low individual round for the Cowgirls on Sunday, shooting a 70 (-2), and moved up from a tie for 60th place entering the second round to a tie for 28th at the end of the second round.
 
Ryan's round of 70 included four birdies, 13 pars and only one double bogey.  Three of her birdies came on Par 4 holes and one came on the Par 5 12th hole.  She posted a two-round total of 149 (+5) to tie for 28th after the first 36 holes.  Junior Kyla Wilde, who entered Sunday's second round in a tie for 12th after shooting an opening round of 71 (-1) on Saturday, is tied for 36th entering Monday's final round.   Wilde is only two strokes back of Ryan at 151 (+7).  The other three Cowgirls competing for Wyoming are graduate Jadan Gonzalez, who is tied for 52nd at 154 (+10); freshman Samantha Spielman, who is one stroke back of Gonzalez at 155 (+11) and is tied for 57th; and graduate Tomine Bjerkelo, who is tied for 63rd at 159 (+15).  Sophomore Sophie Spiva is playing as an individual and is tied for 70th at 164 (+20).   
 
"Today's round was a great turnaround, especially considering the very windy conditions," said Josey Stender, University of Wyoming Head Women's Golf Coach.  "I challenged them to each improve by a few shots as a collective effort.  They embraced it and played focused until the end.
 
"Our seniors have been great leaders for us and today was no different with Morgan's (Ryan) performance."
 
Miami held a six-stroke lead entering Sunday's round and extended their lead to 20 strokes with a second round score of 276 (-12) to end the first 36 holes at 554 (-22).  Western Kentucky is in second place at 574 (-2).  The individual tournament leader is Barbora Bujakova of Miami.  She sits at 134 (-10) with the final round on Monday yet to play.  She leads two of her teammates by four strokes.  Sara Byrne and Olivia Gronborg of Miami are tied for second at 138 (-6).
 
The Pat Bradley Invitational is being hosted by Florida International University (FIU) at the Cypress Links Course at Lake Ranch Golf & Country Club in Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
 
The course measures 6,234 yards and plays to a par of 72.  The final round of the 54-hole event will be played on Monday, Oct. 16. 
 
Team Standings
1.   Miami                                     278-276=554 (-22)
2.   Western Kentucky                  289-285=574 (-2)
3.   Daytona St. College               284-298=582 (+6)
4.   Florida International               287-302=589 (+13)
5.   Florida Gulf Coast                  287-303=590 (+140
6.   Seminole State                       291-300=591 (+15)
7.   Cincinnati                                299-297=596 (+20)
8.   Northern Illinois                       295-304=599 (+23)
9.   Stetson University                   294-307=601 (+25)
10. South Dakota                          300-304=604 (+28)
11. Wyoming                                308-299=607 (+31)
12. South Alabama                       308-312=620 (+44)
     
Wyoming Cowgirls
T28 Morgan Ryan                          79-70=149 (+5)
T36 Kyla Wilde                               71-80=151 (+7)
T52 Jadan Gonzalez                      77-77=154 (+10)
T57 Samantha Spielman                81-74=155 (+11)
T63 Tomine Bjerkelo                       81-78=159 (+15)
 
Cowgirls Playing as Individuals
T70 Sophie Spiva                           83-81=164 (+20)