HUMBLE, Texas – The Illinois women's golf team had a standout performance on day one of the ICON Invitational, sitting in second place after turning in a 36-hole team total of 567 (-9) on the par 72, 6,247-yard Golf Club of Houston on Monday (February 21). The Illini opened the day with a one-under 287, before tying for the lowest team round in program history with an eight-under par 280.

USC leads the tournament with a 25-under total of 551 after rounds of 270-281, with Oklahoma in third at 568 (-8) and Texas A&M, host Houston and Texas Tech all tied for fourth at 579 (+3).

Seniors Kornkamol Sukaree and Crystal Wang led the way for the Illini as Sukaree sits in fourth place after carding rounds of 70-68 for a two-round total of 138 (-6), with her classmate Wang right behind her in fifth place with a 36-hole total of 139 (-5) after rounds of 68-71. The duo combined for 18 birdies, with each of their rounds of 68 marking a season low round.

Freshman Lexanne Halama joined the senior duo in the top 10 and is tied for seventh with a two-round total of 141 (-3) after rounds of 72 and a career-low round 69 in the second round.  

Rounding out the Illini is sophomore Isabel Sy with rounds of 77-72 for a 36-hole total of 149 (+5) and junior Siyan Chen with a two-round total of 157 (+13) after rounds of 82-75.

The trio of Texas Tech's Amy Taylor and USC's Cindy Kou and Amari Avery lead all players for the individual lead after totaling an eight-under 136 on the day.  

Tuesday's final round tees off beginning at 8 a.m. CT, with the Illini paired with Southern California and Oklahoma State starting on the first hole. Live score will be availabl0e via GolfStat.com.

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