PITTSBURGH – The Illinois women’s golf team ended the second round Big Ten Championships in second place, carding a round total of 29 (+8), heading into Sunday’s third and final round at Fox Chapel Golf Club.
Isabel Sy and Crystal Wang share the individual lead at 3-under overall, after rounds of 70 (-1) and 68 (-3) respectively. The duo is in the hunt to become the program’s first individual champion since head coach Renee Slone (formerly Heiken) won in 1993.
Sy turned in a 1-under 35s on both the front and back, collecting three birdies and bogeying just twice. The Troy, Calif., native continues to lead the tournament in par 3 scoring at 2-under overall, with a 2.75 scoring average. Her nine total birdies are tied for the most in the tournament.
Wang was one of two players to post a round-low 68, going 3-under (33) on the front before a 1-under (35) back. The Diamond Bar, Calif., native birdied five times in the round, with four of them coming on the front 9. Her eight total birdies in the tournament are tied for third most.
Siyan Chen is tied for 15th after her second round 77 (+6). Chen makes the Illini just one of two schools to have three golfers ranked in the Top 15 after 36 holes of play.
Lexanne Halama is tied for 56th after her round of 77 (+6), Mattie Frick is tied for 62nd after an 80 (+9) and Anna Ritter is tied for 76th after an 80 (+9). Halama picked up an eagle on No. 2 and is one of four players at the tournament to pick up an eagle.
As a team, Illinois posted the best scoring averages on par 5s (4.64, -13) and the team’s 34 total birdies are the most in the tournament.
The Fighting Illini trail leaders Ohio State (+9) by just one stroke, while holding a three-stroke advantage over third-placed Northwestern (+13). Sy and Wang hold a two-stroke lead individually over the Wildcats’ Kelly Sim (-1).
Sunday’s third and final round begins with tee times starting at 7:00 a.m. CT. Ritter will begin play for Illinois at 8:54 a.m. CT, with Halama, Frick, Wang, Chen and Sy to follow.
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