University of Washington
Regional Challenge
UW Tied for First After Two Rounds at Northrop-Grumman
February 09, 2016 | Women's Golf
PALOS VERDES, Calif. – The No. 14 University of Washington Women's Golf Team battled through very windy conditions and finished round two of the Northrop-Grumman Regional Challenge sitting tied for first (5-over 573) heading into the final 18 holes. The Huskies share the lead with No. 11 Alabama and boasts three players in the top 10 on the leaderboard.
“I thought our group showed a lot of poise today after the start that we had with the conditions on a very tough course,” said head coach Mary Lou Mulflur. “We responded very well to a tough first three-or-four holes and I was really pleased with their patience once again. I thought we had some great birdies and some very smart pars out there today.”
Washington was led by senior Ying Luo who jumped nine spots on day two as she carded a 1-under 70 in a round that included four birdies, two of which came on the last four holes.
“Ying was so steady today,” said Mulflur. “She hit some really good shots, had great distance control and once she figured out the wind, she settled in and wasn't overly aggressive. Her experience really showed in those conditions today.”
Fellow senior Charlotte Thomas finished the day in fifth place after posting a 2-over 73 on day two to bring her 36-hole total to even-par 142. Thomas's back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13 holes put her at one-under but she went two-over over the final five holes to finish in fifth heading into the final round.
Joining the seniors in the top-10 on Monday was freshman Wenyung Keh who matched her day-one round as she posted a 1-over 72. Keh is tied for seventh after Monday's round and despite a triple bogey on hole five, responded with four birdies to finish at 1-over for the day.
“Wenyung was so impressive today,” added Mulflur. “She didn't let anything get to her, the conditions or the fast greens and she just really stayed steady which was so fun to watch considering she is a freshman competing against such a tough field.”
Freshman Julianne Alvarez also took part in moving day as she jumped eight positions to climb into a tie for 15th. Alvarez notched four birdies on the day to post a 2-over 73 which puts her at 4-over 146 heading into the final round on Tuesday.
“Julianne had the shot of the day for us as she was down a hill about fifty feet away from the hole and if you cut it short at all, the ball would fall back down and she hit it perfectly and ended up with a birdie on that hole. It was extremely impressive,” said Mulflur.
Rounding out the UW contingent was freshman Clementina Rodriguez who carded a 7-over 78 to jump up nine spots on the leaderboard to place tied for 65th where she sits with a two-day total of 16-over 158.
Washington concludes the three-day tournament Tuesday morning as the Huskies tee off at 8:30 a.m. at the Palos Verdes Golf Club.
Players Mentioned
