By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MONROE, La. – Vast improvement from one round to the next rocketed the Tennessee Tech women's golf team three places up the leaderboard at the Fred Marx Invitational Monday afternoon, as the Golden Eagles wrapped up two rounds of action in fourth place in the nine-team event.
After posting a 314 in its first round ever competed in Louisiana, let alone at Bayou Desiard Country Club, the Tech five turned it around for a 295. Tech's 19-stroke improvement led it from a seventh-place ranking after round one to fourth with just one round to play, sitting at 609 overall and just 12 strokes behind second place.
Key to the strong second round was veteran Lindsay Miller, who set the tone for the improved showing after recovering from a less-than-ideal 80 in the first round to fire the lowest score of the tournament. The senior bounced back for a career-low, 4-under 68 her second time around the course. She finished the day tied for sixth at 148 (80-68) while ranking third in total birdies with seven and second in par-3 scoring at 1-under.
Competing in her first event of the fall, Kate Mashburn was also a huge boon to the second-round success. The sophomore turned in a 149 (77-72) overall, posting a career-low, even-par 72 in the second round. She ranked in a tie for eighth among the field of 51 golfers.
Junior Shelby Johnson showed perhaps the most consistency on the day, carding a 152 (75-77) behind two solid rounds to rank in a tie for 19th. Rookie Heidi Lawson shaved some strokes off her first round, improving by five shots for a 161 (83-78) total to rank tied for 37th.
Rounding out the Tech lineup was junior Arianna Clemmer. The Golden Eagle veteran tallied a 166 (82-84) overall.
Ohio Valley Conference rival Murray State led all teams on the day with a 590 (296-294), behind the play of individual leader Sarah McDowell, who posted back-to-back rounds of 72 for a 144.
Play in round three will commence with an 8:15 a.m. CT shotgun start Tuesday morning.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
