ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – The Illinois women's golf team posted a 287 (-1) in the second round of the Albuquerque Regional, moving up from 13th place to ninth. The Fighting Illini have an overall score of 593 (+17) at The Championship Golf Course at the University of New Mexico (Par 72, 6,637 yards).
"We got off to a much better start today," said head coach Renee Slone. "Today we started on hole No. 10, and I was on No. 11, which is a par-3, and we played No. 11 two-under-par as a team, so obviously a very good start to get things rolling for us. I think the team was a lot more comfortable with the golf course today. I think yesterday they were still gathering their bearings and just getting a feel for things."
Grace Park led Illinois with a 70 (-2) on the day after she birdied the first, fourth and 11th holes, and is currently tied for 13th place at 145 (+1) overall. Chayanid Prapassarangkul sits in a tie for 20th place at 146 (+2) overall, after she carded a 71 (-1) in the second round, recording birdies on the first, eighth and 14th holes.
Swing Liu's 72 (E) effort on the day included birdies on the 13th and 16th holes, and places her in a tie for 38th at 149 (+5) overall. Sitting in a tie for 71st, Bing Singhsumalee birdied the ninth and 11th holes, carding a 76 (+4) on the day, good for a 155 (+11) two-day total. Tristyn Nowlin recorded a 74 (+2) in the second round, placing her in a tie for 81st with a 157 (+13) overall.
"Sometimes it's about managing yourself and your emotions," Slone said. "Sometimes that first day can be a little bit nerve-wracking at times. You have got to settle down and go about playing good, solid golf and focusing on the things you need to enable you to do that."
The top six teams following tomorrow's final round will advance to the NCAA Championships, slated for May 19-24 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The Illini finished the day six strokes behind Washington (+11) for sixth place. Stanford leads the field with a 573 (-3), and the Cardinal's top individual golfer, Albane Valenzula, leads all golfers with a 140 (-4).
"Tomorrow we will continue to keep it simple, stay patient, and enjoy the experience and the opportunity," Slone said. "We will continue to learn and gather information each day we go around the golf course and put it into action. We are looking for another solid day of golf."
The final round of play will start at 8:30 a.m. CT on Wednesday.
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