May 6, 2004
Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's golf squad is in 6th place following the opening round the NCAA Central Regional in Normal, Ill. The Tigers shot a team total of 303 on the par 71, 6,108-yard University Golf Course. If Mizzou can finish in the Top eight of the three-day, three-round event, they will qualify for the NCAA Championships for the first time in school history.
"I thought we really got off to a great start this morning and battled through the wind the entire day," Head Coach Stephanie Cooper said. "I was extremely pleased with Kelli (Strubinger) and Lyndsey (Adams) and the way they competed today. We struggled a little bit on the back and we know we can go lower, we just need to come ready to work tomorrow afternoon."
Strubinger was remarkable on the day, firing a three-over par 74 and is in a four-way tie for fourth, just one stroke out of the top five and six strokes out of the lead. The 74 is Strubinger's best round since shot an even-par round of 72 at the Indiana Invitational on April 3 in Bloomington. Freshman Lyndsey Adams was also outstanding, equaling a career low with her effort of 75. That four-over par effort puts her in a five-way tie for 18th, just two strokes out of the top five. Denise Knaebel was solid, firing a 76 which puts her in a tie for 23rd.
Mizzou is one of five Big 12 schools at the Central Regional and shot the best team round of any Big 12 squad. The Tigers played to form in the first round, as they have averaged a team score of 303.7 in the first round so far this season.
The Tigers continue their quest for an NCAA Championship birth on Friday afternoon when they tee off in the second round. Live scoring will be provided at www.mutigers.com or at www.golfstat.com. For more information and a complete wrap up of the first two days of action, check back to www.mutigers.com late tomorrow afternoon.