Sept. 26, 2008
The No. 1 ranked Arizona State women's golf team is in fourth after the first round of the Mason Rudolph Championship held at the par-72, 6,217-yard Legends South Course in Franklin, Tenn. The Sun Devils shot a 1-over 289 and are three shots away from first place Oklahoma State.
"The course is in great condition. The field is really good," says head coach Melissa Luellen on the tournament. "It's a close competition and that's what we want. We want to be in the thick of things and we'll be there tomorrow."
Three Sun Devils shot par in the first round, with all tying for 17th. Junior Juliana Murcia and senior Jennifer Osborn recorded two birdies to finish the day at 72, including one each on the 18th hole. Reigning NCAA Champion Azahara Munoz recovered from a double boogey on hole five and shot three birdies, including one on the 18th hole.
Junior All-American Anna Nordqvist finished the day with a 1-over 73. Nordqvist is currently tied for 23rd. Liisa Kelo shot a 9-over 81 in the first round to finish tied for 77th.
"I'm really happy we finished strong on the last two holes," says Luellen. "We didn't make a lot of putts. I think once we have some more rounds in us we'll start draining some more putts."
The Sun Devils shot 5-under par on the last two holes with Munoz, Murcia, Osborn and Kelo all recording birdies on the 18th and Nordqvist hitting a birdie in on the 17th.
The Sun Devils will continue to compete at the Mason Rudolph Championship through Sunday. Live results are available on www.golfstat.com.