MAINEVILLE, Ohio. – The Illinois women's golf team is in seventh place after the first round of play at the Big Ten Women's Golf Championships. The Fighting Illini posted a 304 (+16) at TPC River's Bend (Par 72, 6,357 yards).

 "It's a great test of golf, a demanding golf course. It definitely presented some challenges for us, but certainly nothing we can't handle. We just need to do a better job of handling those challenges."

Swing Liu leads Illinois with a 73 (+1), after recording bogeys on ninth and 14th holes, and a birdie on the 11th hole to tie for eighth place. Bing Singhsumalee carded a 76 (+4), with bogeys on the first, third, ninth and 10th holes and sits in a tie for 32nd place. Grace Park finished the first round in a tie for 35th, after recording two bogeys on the front nine, and a bogey and a double bogey on the back stretch to post a 77 (+5). Chayanid Prapassarangkul is tied for 44th, carding a 78 (+6).

Dana Gattone birdied the third hole, but finished the first round in a tie for 68th with a score of 82 (+10). Stephanie Miller also sits in a tie for 68th after recording an 82 (+10) in the first round, with a birdie on the 15th hole.

"Tomorrow's conditions are going to be challenging, because the forecast has some expected rain. We just need to have the mindset and attitude of 'let's go out there and get after it.'"

The second round of the Big Ten Women's Golf Championship will tee off Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. CT, with the final round set for Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. CT.

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