Huskers Start Strong in Wisconsin

Megan Whittaker led a trio of Huskers in the top 12 individually after the first 18 holes at the Badger Invitational in Madison, Wis., on Sunday.

Whittaker, a fifth-year Husker from Elkhorn, Neb., put together an impressive round of 71 (-1) over the 6,248-yard layout at the University Ridge Golf Course to sit in a tie for fourth at the end of the opening round. Whittaker’s fourth consecutive round under par to open the season included four birdies, three bogeys and 11 pars.

With Whittaker leading the way for the Big Red, Nebraska ended Sunday’s round at 292 (+4) in sole possession of second place in the 13-team field that includes four other Big Ten Conference teams (Wisconsin, Rutgers, Iowa, Indiana).

Notre Dame carded Sunday’s best round with a 284 (-4) to head to the second round atop the team standings. The Fighting Irish got the best individual round as well from Lauren Beaudreau, who fired a 67 (-5), which was one stroke better than teammate Madelyn Jones’ 68 (-4). 

North Florida’s Wyndom Burnett (70) was the only other golfer to produce a better round than Whittaker’s 71.

Nebraska also received strong first rounds from junior Lindsey Thiele (Wahoo, Neb.) and sophomore Miu Takahashi (Japan), who head to Monday’s second round tied for 12th at 73 (+1). The Huskers were two of 11 golfers in the 75-player field to shoot 73 over the first 18 holes.

Junior Michaela Vavrova (Slovakia) rounded out Nebraska’s team score with a 75 (+3) in her first 18 holes of the season. Vavrova enters the second round tied for 29th.

“We had a solid day of golf,” Nebraska Head Coach Jeanne Sutherland said. “Our focus was to play the par threes well, and I think we did that. In Louisiana, we gave up 11 shots on par threes, so we need to stop that trend. Our goal was to be in the final pairing tomorrow, and we did that, so now we will have a chance to play with the top competitors tomorrow and go get them.”

Kelli Ann Strand, who opened her college career with the individual title at the Green Wave Classic and Big Ten Golfer-of-the-Week honors last week, rounded out Nebraska’s five-player lineup in count-four scoring with a 77 (+5).

Nebraska continues the Badger Invitational on…