Freshman Duo Powers UW To Lead In Pullman

Monday, September 19

Palouse Ridge -- Pullman, Wash.

All Day

University of Washington

Cougar Cup

UW T4th After Grueling 36 Holes At Half Moon Bay

September 19, 2011 | Women's Golf

By: Washington Athletics

Sept. 19, 2011

• Golfstat.com Scoring

PULLMAN, Wash. -- Mary Lou Mulflur entered the 2011-12 women's golf season believing she might have one of the best freshmen classes in her 29 years at Washington. If Monday was any indication, she might just be right.

Newcomers Soo Bin Kim ended the first day of the Cougar Cup at Pullman's Palouse Ridge Golf Course first and second, respectively, to propel Washington to a 15-stroke lead entering Tuesday's final round.

Washington ended day one at 594 (+18), including a tournament record 3-under 285 in the afternoon. Oregon State is second at +33 (609) with Stanford one stroke behind the Beavers at +34 (610). Host Washington State is tied for fifth at +42 (618)

Okino was even par through 36 holes to lead Kim by two strokes on the individual leaderboard. Washington State's Kristen Rue is third at +3 (147).

The wind howled 18-20 miles per hour in the morning leading to high scores from the entire 86 person field. Okino (Punahou HS/Honolulu, Hawai'i) was among a handful of golfer to shoot 4-over 76 in the first round to tie for the lead.

1	Washington	309	285	594
1	Cyd Okino (3)	76	68	144
2	SooBin Kim (2)	76	70	146
T8	Jennifer Yang (1)	79	73	152
T8	Sadena Parks (4)	78	74	152
T23	Kelli Bowers (5)	81	74	155

"Cyd's from Hawai'i, so winds for her are no big deal," said Mulflur of her freshman who played in the U.S. Open Championship as a 14-year-old. "It obviously showed in her play."

With the winds more managable in the afternoon, Okino fired a tournament record 4-under 68. She converted four birdies in a bogey-free round that allowed her to separate herself from fourth-place on the leaderboard by six strokes.

Kim (Coquitlam, B.C./Gleneagle Secondary School) was nearly equally as impressive as her new classmate from Hawai'i. Kim equaled Okino in the morning with a 76 and rebounded with 2-under 70 in the afternoon. The Husky duo were two of four golfers to shoot in the red.

Okino and Kim were not the only UW newcomers to make impressive debuts. Jennifer Yang (Coquitlam, B.C./Gleneagle Secondary School) ended day one at +8 to tie for eighth. Yang, who was high school teammates with Kim, shot 79 and 73 to total 152.

"The freshmen just played great," Muflur said. "That is a great start for them, especially the way they bounced back from the morning. We were 24 shots better in the afternoon.

"It's a long day, it's their first day as a collegiate golfer. They just bounced back beautifully. In fact, they all did."

Husky senior Sadena Parks (Tacoma, Wash./Bethel HS) couldn't let the freshmen have all the fun, tying Yang at +8. She shot 78 and 74 to give Washington four golfers in the top-10.

The fifth member of the squad counting towards the Huskies' score was sophomore Kelli Bowers (Chelan, Wash./Chelan HS). Bowers shot 81 and 74 and is tied for 23rd at 155 (+11).

Washington's fourth freshman on the roster, Jennifer Liedes (Olympia, Wash./Olympia HS), also had a stellar debut. She was only two strokes off the pace after a 78 during the first round, but Liedes -- one of three Huskies competing as individuals -- shot 80 in the afternoon to end the day tied for 32nd at +14.

Senior Darcie Richmond (Bothell, Wash./Bothell HS) shot 81 and 81 and is tied for 53rd at 162 (+18). Brittany Tallman (Issaquah, Wash./Issaquah HS) is 68th at 166.

Team Leader Board

Course:Palouse Ridge: Par 72 - 6239 yards

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