University of Washington
NCAA Championships
Huskies 10th At NCAA's Before Lightning Stops Play
May 24, 2015 | Women's Golf
Live Scoring | NCAA Championships Central
BRADENTON, Fla. – It was another tough day at The Concession Golf Club as play resumed at the NCAA Championships. Saturday, the Dawgs did not respond in the same fashion as Friday's first round that left them tied for sixth after that round was completed Saturday morning.
“I was kind of disappointed,” said head coach Mary Lou Mulflur. “I thought we played scared out there and you can't do that no matter how difficult the course is set up.”
In the second round, Washington could not avoid the big numbers and is at 26-over with three players still on the course as play was once again suspended due to lightning. The Huskies dropped to 10th place, although all 12 teams in the afternoon wave still have holes to play.
A day after being one of the best teams in the field at avoiding disaster holes, Washington could not do the same in the second round. Friday, UW counted just two double bogeys, which was among the best in the field as the combination of a difficult course and sweltering heat has scores soaring. Saturday, the Dawgs will likely count three triple bogeys, but also triple and a quintuple bogeys.
“You have to play with commitment,” said Mulflur. “You can't have doubt leaking into your mind. “We have done a good job of that all year and will have to get back to that tomorrow. If we don't, the results will be the same.”
For the week, the Dawgs are now 39-over, inside the top-10 by just a single stroke. No. 1 USC has taken the overall lead at 14-over, but still has several holes to play in the second round. No. 18 Baylor has the best score of the teams that have finished at 28-over, but are currently fourth, also trailing No. 4 Duke (+23) and No. 12 Tennessee (+27) who each have holes to play.
The Dawgs are part of a tightly packed field that is looking to finish in the top-15 to advance to the fourth day of stroke play and stay within range of the top-eight who will advance to match play after the fourth round.
Saturday, Washington was led by Charlotte Thomas, despite it looking like it would go the other way early on. Thomas made a nine on the par-four second, a quintuple bogey that moved her from 2-over to 7-over for the tournament after a single hole. Despite the rough hole, Thomas immediately responded by birdying the next two holes. The junior stayed solid the rest of the way and then made an eagle on the par-five 17th to move her to even for the day, not including that second hole. She finished with a par and shot 5-over 77 for the day and is currently tied for 30th, 7-over for the week.
“I am really proud of Charlotte,” said Mulflur. “If anyone could have let the course get in their head it was her, but she hung in there and bounced back.”
The other Husky to finish her round was Eimi Koga, who was also solid, shooting a 6-over 78. She had a round of 3-over going until the 15th hole when a lost ball cost her a triple-bogey. Still, Koga also finished well with a birdie at the 17th and is now tied for 56th for the tournament.
The final three Huskies are still on the course, led by Jennifer Yang who is 7-over for her round. Yang was the only Husky not to make double-bogey or worse, but did have seven bogeys without a birdie. She is now 8-over for the tournament and tied for 34th.
Ying Luo made two early birdies, but also had a pair of double bogeys and is 8-over for her second round. Luo had a short putt for par on the 18th when the lightning suspension took effect. If she can convert that putt, she'll shoot 80 for the round and be 13-over for the tournament, which is currently tied for 73rd.
Cyd Okino made a par on 17 and has the 18th to play, but is 9-over for her round so far. Okino's lone birdie came on the par-five 13th, but also had two double-bogeys and six bogeys for the round. She is currently tied for 82nd at 15-over for the tournament.
Play will resume Sunday morning at 8:25 a.m. local time or 5:25 a.m. on the West Coast. The Dawgs have just four holes to finish, two from Yang and the 18th from Luo and Okino. Washington will then begin their third round in the afternoon with the pairings decided based on how things finish in the morning.
Players Mentioned
