COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho – The No. 23 Illinois women's golf team has a comfortable lead with a score of 560 (-8) after two rounds of play at the Coeur d'Alene Resort Collegiate. The Orange and Blue posted a first round score of 282 (-2) and a second-round score of 278 (-6) at the Coeur d'Alene Resort (Par 71, 6,099 yards). The 6-under-par score in the second-round ties for the third lowest single-round score in program history.
"I was proud of how we finished our rounds today, said head coach Renee Slone. "They did a really good job finishing strong and playing the final few holes under par. With an 11-hour day, the team was able to keep their composure and energy up, which was a big boost."
Individually, four out of the five Illini finished in the top 10. Freshman phenom Crystal Wang topped the individual leaderboard for the day with 138 (-4). Scoring under-par in both rounds, Wang tied for the lowest score in round two with 68 (-3). The Diamond Bar native also led the pack with 10 birdies.
"Crystal (Wang) made a lot of birdies and hit a bunch of shots within five feet of the hole today," noted Slone.
"I am proud of finishing my own commitment today, which is focus, said Wang. "I stuck to my commitment and finished strong by focusing on every shot."
Posting five birdies in the second round, senior Bing Singhsumalee tied for third, recording a 141 (-1) on the day. Junior Tristyn Nowlin and sophomore Ali Morallos both tied for ninth, posting a total of 143 (+1). Nowlin started off strong, posting six birdies and finishing 69 (-2) in the first round. While Morallos was consistent throughout the competition, posting seven birdies total and carding a score of 71 (E) in the first round.
Rounding out the Illini fivesome is freshman Kornkamol Sukaree, who battled her way back to tie for 15th. Sukaree made her stride in the second round, scoring under-par with a 69 (-2).
Following Illinois is San Jose State (+10) in second, while BYU follows closely behind in third (+11).
The final round of the Coeur d'Alene Resort Collegiate will tee off Tuesday morning with a shotgun start at 7:45 a.m. PT/9:45 a.m. CT.
"We need to focus on ourselves and the things we can control," said Slone. "Taking it one shot at a time, one hole at a time, and not getting ahead of ourselves. Our team is just starting to scratch the surface."
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