May 21, 2009
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF senior Stephanie Connelly birdied the par-five 17th on Thursday to stand in the top-five heading into the final round at the NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championships, being held at the par-72, 6,443-yard Caves Valley Golf Course in Owings Mills, Md. Connelly shot a three-over par 75 Thursday morning and ended the day in a three-way tie for fifth in a field of 126 golfers.
The Pasadena, Md., native currently stands at five-over 221 through 54 holes, and the senior will tee off in her final round on Friday five shots behind the leader, Jennifer Song of Southern California. Connelly will play in the first group of the afternoon and is scheduled to tee off the first hole at 12 p.m.
Connelly, who started the day in a tie for sixth place, got off to a rocky start with a double bogey at the first hole, but the senior recovered with a birdie on two before seven consecutive pars finished her front nine at one-over 37.
After two more pars started the back side, Connelly had an up-and-down back nine. Sitting at four-over for her round and six-over for the tournament, Connelly birdied the 454-yard par-five 17th hole before registering a par on her final hole of the day to post a three-over 75.
Connelly qualified as an individual after finishing in second place at the NCAA East Regional. To follow her progress live on Friday, go to www.golfstat.com.
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