Anna Backman Enters the Final Round in Third
NEW ORLEANS – In the thick of the competition heading into Tuesday’s final 18 holes, the University of Miami golf team capped the opening day at the 2020 Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate in third at three-under 581.
Competing at the par 73, 6,336-yard English Turn Golf and Country Club, a trio of Hurricanes capped the opening two rounds among the top-20, with sophomore Anna Backman sitting in third to lead the charge.
“The team did well today. We needed a few more putts to drop, but overall the team is hitting well,” Miami head coach Patti Rizzo said. “The weather doesn’t look great for tomorrow, but I sure hope we get to play.”
Following a one-over 293 opening round, the Hurricanes quickly regrouped in the second round en route to a four-under 288 to make the jump up the leaderboard.
Leading the charge for Miami, sophomore Anna Backman opened the day strong with 13 consecutive par or better holes, including birdies on the 15th and 17th holes, as well as an eagle on the par-5, 475-yard 18th hole. Overall, the Vaaksy, Finland, native entered the second round in fourth at three-under-par.
In the next round, Backman once again started off strong with nine straight par or better holes, before capping the day with seven birdies and an eagle, while closing out the first 36 in third at five-under 141.
Getting off to her own blazing start, junior Kristyna Frydlova carded five birdies through the opening six holes, to take the early lead on the competition. However, the junior’s then-tournament-high six birdies were matched by a sextuplet of bogies, as the junior ended the round at even-par and tied for 18th.
In the second round, the Prague native carded her first eagle of the spring on the par 5, 476-yard 11th hole, and collected two more birdies to move nine spots up the leaderboard, entering Tuesday’s final round tied for ninth at two-under 144.
Following closely behind, Daniella Barrett capped the opening two rounds tied for 20th. Overall, the freshman carded six birdies on Monday and went one-under 72 in the second round to finish the afternoon at even-par.
Fresh off her first collegiate tournament title, senior Renate Grimstad carded seven birdies on Monday, and sits in a tie for 40th at three-over 149.
Rounding out the Hurricanes lineup, freshman Franziska Sliper sits in a tie for 63rd at nine-over 155.
Miami enters the final day of competition nine strokes back on the tournament leader, No. 10 Florida (-12) and four strokes back on NC State (-7).
Due to inclement weather hitting the Big Easy on Sunday, the opening round was rescheduled for Monday morning with a shotgun start, immediately followed by a second round of action. The final round is scheduled to begin Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. ET with another shotgun start.
To keep up with the University of Miami golf team on social media, follow @HurricanesGolf on Twitter, @CanesGolf on Instagram and @CanesWGolf on Facebook.
