April 17, 2006
GREENVILLE, N.C. -
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Ashley Grier and Jessica Trein each carded their lowest score of the season Monday and led UCF to its lowest round of the year during second-day action at the Conference USA Women's Golf Championship at Ironwood Golf and Country Club. UCF posted an 8-over 294 on the Lee Trevino Signature Golf Course at Ironwood and moved up one spot into a tie for fourth.
Grier made six birdies en route to a 2-under 70, while Trein made three birdies and an eagle in the process of shooting a 1-over 73. Kristy McLaughlin made only one birdie, but matched her lowest round of the year with a 2-over 74.
"I'm so proud of them," UCF coach Emilee Klein said. "I wanted them to focus on making as many birdies as possible and they went out there and did it."
The Golden Knights tied East Carolina for the low round of the day and trail the host Pirates by only six shots heading into Tuesday's final round. East Carolina's total of 591 is five shots better than Tulsa and SMU, which are tied for second at 596. UCF and first-round leader UTEP are at 597, leaving five teams separated by only six strokes heading into the final 18 holes.
"It's anyone's game now so we have to go out there tomorrow with the same mindset," Klein said. "I think we are in a good position having to come from behind."
SMU's Jennifer Ackerson shot the low round of the day with a 4-under 68 and moved into a tie with first-round leader Gerina Mendoza from UTEP at 1-under for the tournament. Tulsa's Cas Bridge is alone in third at even-par, while Grier and four others are tied for fourth at 2-over.
Klein told the players Sunday night to think about making a lot of birdies Monday and the team responded. A total of 14 birdies and one eagle were recorded between the five players in the lineup, led by Grier's six birdies.
"It was probably the best ball-striking day I've ever had," Grier said. "I've never hit that many shots that close in any round. It was a lot of fun to play because I made a lot of birdies."
Grier was at 3-under when she missed a three-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole. After saving par out of the sand with a 12-foot putt on the 17th hole, Grier's drive found the water on the 18th hole. She took a drop and hit her approach shot eight feet from the cup, but her par putt slipped by on the high side.
"I struggled there at the end, but for the most part I really played well," Grier said. "Coach just talked about how our main goal was to make birdies, because in order for us to catch up we would have to go low. I just thought about making birdies all day."
Trein had a hot hand early and made the turn at 3-under-par after an eagle putt dropped on the seventh hole. She was at 3-under until a triple-bogey six on the par 3 11th hole dropped her back to even. She rebounded and got back into red numbers but dropped two shots on the final two holes, including a three-putt bogey on the 18th.
Holly Boot had a 5-over 77 round that included six three-putt greens. She had trouble judging the speed of the greens most of the day, but managed to close with birdies on 17 and 18.
Annabel Silk shot a 9-over 81 and is tied for 33rd heading into the final round.