Lincoln, Nebraska - After 54 holes of competition the UBC Thunderbirds sit in second place at the NAIA Women's Golf Championship heading into tomorrow's final round at the Wilderness Ridge Golf Club in Lincoln, Nebraska. UBC is 10 shots behind the leaders from Oklahoma City University and just one shot up on third place Lubbock Christian University.
Third Round - Team Scores
Third Round - Indiviudal Scores
While weather conditions improved Thursday, the course still played very tough especially on the greens where the pin placements made for some difficult putting. The 'Birds got off to another rough start finishing a combined (all five players) +23 on the front nine. However, they were able to get back on track on the back nine, combining to finish nine over par. In the end, they would card a score of 310 and sit in second place overall at +66.
UBC is 10 shots behind the leaders from Oklahoma City University. The Stars combined to shoot 305 for a second straight round on Thursday and currently are +56. However, it is much tighter behind UBC. Lubbock Christian University is just one shot behind the Thunderbirds at +67, Cal.State-San Marcos is three shots back at +69, William Woods is at +73, 7 strokes behind, and Savannah College of Art & Design rounds out the top six, nine shots back of UBC.
Haley Cameron continued her strong, consistent play Thursday at the tough Wilderness Ridge track posting a round of +2 (74). She had one birdie and three bogeys on the day. Overall she sits at +10 for the tournament, good enough for third place in the individual standings, nine shots behind Oklahoma City University's Jessica Schiele. She shot a +2 (74) in round three and leads the way at -1. Sofia Molinaro of the Savannah College of Art & Design is second at +9.
It was a frustrating day for UBC's Kylie Barros. The fourth year player struggled to find consistency in her game, finishing the day with two birdies, six bogeys, and one double bogey for a round of +6 (78) for the second straight day. She is tied for ninth overall at +15.
Stephanie Wong wishes she could have her first five holes back on Thursday. She started five over through five holes, but managed to settle down and get back on track to play par golf the rest of the way, carding a +5 (77). After back to back rounds of 77, Wong is tied for 22nd overall in the individual standings.
Front nine woes were the story of the day for Casara Hong. She was +8 through nine holes, but then was +2 on the back nine, making a double bogey on the par 4 13th hole. She had the team's high round of the day at +10 (82). Overall she is tied in 47th with a score of +24.
Reagan Wilson was able to take some positives from Thursday's third round. While she didn't record a birdie, she did no worse then bogey all day, finishing at +9 (81). Wilson is tied in 79th place at +32 for the tournament.
UBC will be in the final grouping along side Oklahoma City University and Lubbock Christian University and will tee off at 7:00 am PST Friday morning. The 'Birds of course are looking to defend last year's title. UBC has won four NAIA women's golf titles overall (2001, 2004, 2010, 2012)
