Oct. 16, 2009
The Arizona State University women's golf team got off to a strong start at the Stanford Intercollegiate, held at the par 71, 6,156-yard Stanford Golf Course. With an 11-under 273, the Sun Devils finished round one in first by five strokes over second place UCLA. They will be paired with UCLA and Texas tomorrow.
"The girls just played awesome!" said eighth year head coach Melissa Luellen. "We had a great start, a great finish; we just played solid all around."
Carlota Ciganda, who won the Pac-10 Championship last time on this course, created more fond memories in round one The returning first-team All-American fired a 4-under 67 during the first round. Ciganda collected six birdies over the course of the day, including four on the back nine, to finish the round tied for fourth.
Junior Jaclyn Sweeney finished the round tied with Ciganda. The 2008 All-American knocked in five birdies over the round to finish 4-under 67. Finishing 2-under on the last three holes, Sweeney closed out the round tied for fourth with Ciganda.
"Carlota and Jackie were both ecstatic after the round," said Luellen. "Neither them had been putting well and both putted great today, finishing with 27 and 26 putts each."
Knocking in two birdies on the front nine and one on the back, freshman Jennifer Johnson carded a 2-under 69 in the first round. The California native finished the day tied for eighth. With three birdies on her final four holes, senior Juliana Murcia overcame a shaky start to finish the day 1-under 70. The returning second-team All-American tallied five birdies over the day to finish tied for 11th.
"July has a knack of coming back strong," said Luellen. "Jennifer has just been fantastic."
Despite struggling on the front nine, Giulia Molinaro shot a solid 4-over 75. The Italian sophomore knocked in three birdies, including one on the first hole of the day. She will enter the second round tied for 49th.
The tournament continues through Sunday.