NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UCFKnights.com) - In her first collegiate start, freshman Maria Balcazar led the Knights to a tie for fifth overall after day one of the Mason Rudolph Championship.
Balcazar came out swinging Friday, dropping a birdie on her first hole at the Vanderbilt Legends Club. After a few ups and downs, she made the turn at even par and never looked back.
She would add two more birdies and seven pars on her back nine, coming in at 2-under for the day and tied for fourth among individuals. Balcazar is just two-shots off the pace heading into round two.
Seniors Ashley Holder and Johanna Larsson turned in solid rounds as well. Holder tallied five birdies on the day shooting an even par (72) with Larsson coming in just one-shot behind at +1 (73).
Larsson's round was bookended by birdies as she played a flawless first nine making the turn at -2 before succumbing to a string of bogies. The upperclassmen showed her grit however, making two birdies and a par on her final three holes.
Senior Ayaka Nakayama carded a +4 (76) while junior Kaeli Jones turned in a +5 (77).
The Knights are +3 as a team, tied with Troy and seven shots back of co-leaders Alabama and Northwestern. SMU is third at even par and Auburn is fourth at +1.
Second round action is slated for 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Click here to follow the Knights via live scoring.