Golf Sets Program Record to Open Jim West Challenge
TEAM | INDIVIDUAL | PAIRINGS
SAN MARCOS, Texas – On a scorching fall afternoon in central Texas, the University of Miami golf team extended its under-par streak to four rounds with a strong showing through the opening 36 holes of the Jim West Challenge.
The Hurricanes closed out the opening day at the par 72, 6,033-yard Kissing Tree Golf Club in third at 16-under 560.
The two round total set a program mark for the lowest score through 36 rounds on a par 72 course, bypassing a 13-under 563 opening pair of rounds at the Web.com Intercollegiate on March 30, 2015.
“The team is playing awesome,” Miami head coach Patti Rizzo said. “Tomorrow any of the team’s in the top-five can win with a hot round. I hope it’s us.”
Individually a trio of Canes enter the final round among the top-15, led by junior Kristyna Frydlova’s seven-under 137. The Prague native sits in a tie for fifth, one stroke back on the overall leaders.
“Kris played super and consistent today,” Rizzo said. “I am so proud of everyone. One more round to go.”
Opening the morning strong, Frydlova quickly made a move up the leaderboard with the Hurricanes’ first eagle of the season. Following a birdie on the par 4, 335-yard eighth hole, the junior accomplished the two-stroke feat on the par 4, 280-yard ninth hole.
Overcoming a minor set-back on the 12th (double bogey) and 13th holes (bogey), she closed out the opening round with three more birdies and her second eagle of the tournament to enter the second round tied for 10th at four-under.
Back at it for the second round, Frydlova continued to make a move up the leaderboard with a trio of birdies on the 14th, 15th and 16th holes, before carding her third eagle on the par 4, 241-yard 18th hole.
After a pair of bogies to round out the day, the No. 86 ranked collegiate golfer closed out the round at three-under 69, for a two-round score of seven-under, 137.
Following closely behind, senior Renate Grimstad and Anna Backman enter the final round of competition tied for 12th at five-under-par.
Ranked 52nd among individuals on GolfStat.com, Grimstad rebounded from a slow start with an unbelievable six hole stretch.
Sitting at one-over-par through 10, the Bergen, Norway, native carded five birdies and an eagle over a six hole stretch to enter the second round tied for third with a six-under 66 first round total.
Meanwhile, Backman had a nearly flawless opening round, with a quartet of birdies and 16 par or better holes before registering a bogie on the second to last hole.
Overall, the Vaaksy, Finland, native notched eight birdies on Sunday to finish five-under 139, while Grimstad totaled nine birdies and an eagle.
Freshman Daniella Barrett carded six birdies to cap the second round at two-under-par and finished the afternoon tied for 43rd at one-over 145.
Rounding out the Hurricanes lineup, freshman Franziska Sliper sits in a tie for 75th at 10-over 154.
The Hurricanes enter the final round of competition just eight strokes back on the overall leaders, Texas Tech and Ole Miss (24-under 552).
Monday will begin with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. ET, with the Hurricanes pairing up with the Red Raiders’ and Rebels’ student-athletes.
Live results will be available through Golfstat.com.
To keep up with the University of Miami golf team on social media, follow @HurricanesGolf on Twitter, @CanesGolf on Instagram and @CanesWGolf on Facebook.
Top-Six Teams
1. Texas Tech – 274-278=552 (-24)
1. Ole Miss – 269-283=552 (-24)
3. Miami – 278-282=560 (-16)
T4. Oklahoma – 274-287=561 (-15)
T4. Texas State – 277-284=561 (-15)
6. TCU – 280-282=562 (-14)
Miami Individuals
T5. Kristyna Frydlova – 68-69=137 (-7)
T12. Renate Grimstad – 66-73=139 (-5)
T12. Anna Backman – 69-70=139 (-5)
T43. Daniella Barrett – 75-70=145 (+1)
T75. Franziska Sliper – 76-78=154 (+10)
