Back to Form

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Carrying momentum from the final seven holes on Friday, University of Miami freshman golfer Nataliya Guseva returned to form on Saturday to post her 14th par or better round in 20 attempts.

Teeing off early Saturday morning at the Par-72, 6,384-yard Grayhawk Golf Club, the ACC Freshman of the Year posted 17 par or better holes and carded a pair of birdies to finish the round one-under, 71.

Overall, she enters the final round of competition at 10-over, 154.

“She shot 71 today and played much better,” Miami head coach Patti Rizzo said. “She missed six or seven makeable putts for birdies. It was a beautiful perfect day, no wind this morning. The wind appears to pick up here in the afternoon. At least she had a respectful round, so I think she feels a lot better. I am also much happier with her play today, she was much more relaxed. Too little, too late, but she’s learning through the process. She will get them tomorrow.”

Since falling to 14-over-par with three holes to play in Friday’s opening round, the Moscow native has carded 20 par or better holes and has shot three-under over the past 21.

On Saturday, she posted back-to-back birdies on the par-5, 500-yard fourth hole and par-3, 182-yard fifth hole to make a jump up the leaderboard.

Guseva will return to the Scottsdale golf course Sunday, with a tee time set to be announced following the conclusion of Saturday’s action. Live scoring throughout the event is made accessible HERE.