FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Illinois women's golf team opened play at the Blessings Collegiate Invitational on Monday (Oct. 4) at the par-72, 6,556-yard Blessings Golf Club and sit in a tie for fourth after posting a round one team score of 305 (+17) with 36 holes remaining.

Senior Crystal Wang paced the Illini with a two-over 74 to tie for seventh after one round in the 10-team, 52-player field, while classmate Kornkamol Sukaree joined her in the top-15 with a three-over 75 to sit in a tie for 12th.

Junior Siyan Chen carded an opening round five-over 77 to finish the day in a tie for 21st, with freshman Lexanne Halama sitting in a tie for 34th with a seven-over 79 in the first round. Sophomore Isabel Sy rounded out the Illini with a 10-over 82 in the opening round and is tied for 44th.  

UCLA leads the tournament with an opening round total of 289 (+1), with host Arkansas sitting in second with a 294 (+6) total. Louisville (303), the Illini and Houston (305) round out the top five. The Bruins' Alessia Nobilio leads all individuals after an opening round three-under par 69.

The Illini continue play at the Blessings Collegiate Invitational with the second round on Tuesday (Oct. 5) and will tee off at 10:30 a.m. CT off of hole 10. Fans can follow along with live scoring via Golfstat.com, with the tournament also being televised with daily coverage from 3-6 p.m. CT on GOLF Channel.    

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