TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Denver golf team got the start it was looking for, finishing up sixth and in the hunt after 36 holes of golf on Monday at the Arizona Wildcat Invitational. For the afternoon, the Pioneers fired a team score of 601 (25-over).
Par for the 6,494-yard course was 72 at the Sewailo Golf Club.
No. 43 Iowa State and UNLV hold the team lead through two rounds of play at 18-over.
DU, though, remains right in the thick of things, hanging seven strokes back of the Cyclones and Rebels.
Head coach
Lindsay Kuhle went with the lineup of
Mary Weinstein, Sophie Newlove, Alyson Bean, Camille Enright and
Trussy Li.
Anni Heck also competed, but as an individual.
"Today was a grind out there the last 27 holes," Kuhle said. "I'm really proud of how we competed today. We got off to a solid start and finished well on this long day with the wind that was blowing about 20 miles per hour most of the day and we hit it well and putted even better.
"We are only seven back of the lead and extremely confident on this course."
Li was impressive in her two rounds on the afternoon, wrapping up her day tied for seventh at 2-over for the tournament, five strokes off the overall lead held by the Rebels' Elizabeth Prior at 3-under. The Diamond Bar, Calif. native opened with an even-par 72 performance, which tied a season best. The freshman then followed that up with a 2-over 74 to close out the day.
"Trussy was phenomenal today," Kuhle said of the freshman. "She was very steady out there and is gaining more and more confidence every time she plays and it's so much fun to see.
"This group is improving each round and the team chemistry is fantastic and we're really playing team golf for each other."
Weinstein ended her day in 22nd with a two-round total of 7-over. The former Regis standout started strong with a 1-over 73 in her first 18 holes but a tough outcome on the 17th hole in the second round caused the junior to slip at the end.
Enright sits one spot behind her fellow teammate in a tie for 24th at 8-over after day one of the two-day event.
Newlove closed out the afternoon tied for 31st at 9-over through two rounds.
Bean sits in 55th after day one on Monday.
Heck is tied for 69th after two rounds.
Final-round action is set for Tuesday.
Live scoring can be found right
HERE.
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