The Florida women’s golf team was in third place after Saturday’s two rounds of the SunTrust Gator Women’s Invitational at the Mark Bostick Golf Course. Freshman Mia Piccio of the Gators finds herself one shot out of the individual lead in the tournament that ends with 18 holes Sunday morning.
“We played better in the second 18 holes, although the score doesn’t reflect it,” Florida head coach Jan Dowling said. “The team had some really good comebacks. There’s a lot of golf yet to play and the team is excited to be on their home course and still be in contention. That’s all you can really ask for. We are going to come out, do what we do and give it our best tomorrow.”
Piccio carded an even-par 70 in her first round and followed it with a 72 for a 2-over-par total of 142 that shares second place with Jessica Negron of Florida State. Michigan State’s Laura Kueny leads the individual scoreboard with a 141 total after rounds of 73 and 68.
“I was really happy for Mia today,” Dowling continued. “She has played this golf course really well all year and I’m looking forward to watching her play tomorrow.”
Freshman Isabelle Lendl and sophomore Evan Jensen are tied for 19th place at 148 with identical first- and second-round scores of 76 and 72. Junior Jessica Yadloczky was in a 27th-place tie at 150 after rounds of 73 and 77. Sophomore Marika Lendl was tied for 49th place at 155 following rounds of 79 and 76.
Four other Gators are playing as individuals and were led by sophomore Andrea Watts, who is tied for 17th at 147 with rounds of 71 and 76. Freshman Megan Park is tied for 40th place at 154 after shooting 74 and 80. Senior Nicole Schachner was tied for 53rd at 156 (78-78) and senior Lauren Uzelatz was 74th at 164 (79-85).
Florida State leads the 15-team field with a team score of 577 (297-280, +17). Michigan State was three strokes behind at 580 (294-286, +20) followed by Florida at 587 (295-292, +27).
The final round of the tournament begins Sunday at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start.
SUNTRUST GATOR WOMEN’S INVITATIONAL
At par-70, 6,002-yard Mark Bostick Golf Course, Gainesville
TEAM SCORES: 1. Florida State 577 (297-280) (+17); 2. Michigan State 580 (294-286) (+20); 3. Florida 587 (295-292) (+27); 4. Chattanooga 592 (299-293) (+32); 5. Notre Dame 595 (295-300) (+35); 6. Nebraska 599 (306-293) (+39); 7. UCF 603 (306-297) (+43); 8. Texas A&M 604 (303-301) (+44); T9. Georgia State 609 (309-300) and UNC-Greensboro 609 (304-305) (+49); 11. South Florida 611 (307-304) (+51); 12. Furman 613 (307-306) (+53); 13. FIU 619 (306-313) (+59); 14. Georgetown 622 (314-308) (+62); 15. Florida Atlantic 642 (321-321) (+82).
TOP 10 (and ties) SCORES: 1. Laura Kueny (Michigan State) 141 (73-68) (+1); T2. Mia Piccio (Florida) 142 (70-72) (+2) and Jessica Negron (Florida State) 142 (69-73) (+2); 4. Macarena Silva (Florida State) 143 (74-69) (+3); T5. Emma de Groot (Chattanooga) 144 (71-73) (+4), Becca Huffer (Notre Dame) 144 (74-70) (+4) and J.C. Stevenson (Nebraska) 144 (73-71) (+4); T8. Annie Brophy (Notre Dame) 145 (72-73) (+5), Stefanie Kenoyer (Furman) 145 (72-73) (+5), Aimee Neff (Michigan State) 145 (72-73) (+5) and Caroline Powers (Michigan State) 145 (74-71) (+5).
FLORIDA TEAM: T2. Mia Piccio 142 (70-72) (+2); T19. Isabelle Lendl 148 (76-72) (+8) and Evan Jensen 148 (76-72) (+8); T27. Jessica Yadloczky 150 (73-77) (+10); T49. Marika Lendl 155 (79-76) (+15).
FLORIDA INDIVIDUALS: T17. Andrea Watts 147 (71-76) (+7); T40. Megan Park 154 (74-80) (+14); T53. Nicole Schachner 156 (78-78) (+16); T74. Lauren Uzelatz 164 (79-85) (+24).