BIRMINGHAM – On a day that saw all 14 teams finish over par, Alabama battled high winds and tricky pin locations to remain in contention for the stroke-play lead at the Southeastern Conference Women’s Golf Championships on Thursday. The tournament is being played at the par-72, 6,253-yard Greystone Golf and Country Club Legends Course.
A 16-over par day by the Crimson Tide (286-304/590) put UA in second place heading into Friday’s final stroke play round. South Carolina (291-291/582) turned in a second consecutive 3-over par day and is in first place at 6-over, followed by the Tide at 14-over. Arkansas (299-293/592) is third at 16-over.
The top eight teams at the conclusion of stroke play on Friday will advance to Saturday’s match play quarterfinals.
“We got off to a rough start but we really hung in there,” Alabama head coach Mic Potter said after the round. “It was difficult to get close to the hole and the pin locations were tough but we did the best we could given the conditions and we were able to keep contact with the lead. We want to be as high a seed as we can going into match play so we need a good round tomorrow. It’s a matter of going out there and playing our best golf. We’re capable of doing that.”
Sophomore Kristen Gillman (69-75/144) and junior Cheyenne Knight (71-75/146) were Alabama’s low scorers on Thursday with 3-over par rounds. Gillman will enter Friday’s final stroke play round in fourth place, just five shots off the lead at even par. The Austin, Texas native is one of just four golfers even or below par after 36 holes. Knight is now 2-over par for the tournament and tied for eighth place.
Junior Lauren Stephenson (72-76/148) is tied for 12th at 4-over. Senior Lakareber Abe (74-78/152) is tied for 27th at 8-over and freshman Angelica Moresco (77-80/157) is tied for 49th at 13-over.
