Avery and Park Guides USC Into The Top Spot at the Leadership and Golf Invitational

Women’s Golf | September 18, 2023

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. – Amari Avery and Catherine Park earned the top spots for USC with a four-under-par 140, respectfully, as the Trojans sit on top of the leaderboard after having all five members of their starting lineup within the top 11 scorers. USC currently owns a seven-stroke lead after the first two rounds at the Leadership and Golf Invitational as it heads into the final round tomorrow (Sept 19) at Chambers Bay G.C., in University Place, Wash. 
 
In the first two rounds, the Trojans combined for 15-under-par, 561 (276-285). USC leads Minnesota by seven strokes (-8), with Colorado following them on the leaderboard (+4). 
 
“We had a really solid day on a very challenging, world-class golf course,” head coach Justin Silverstein said. “That was one of the longest days I’ve ever had in college golf (11.5 hours of golf), and I’m proud of the way our team focused and was able to compete for 36 holes. As we hoped, our entire lineup produced some excellent scores and are in position for some great individual finishes. The team is in a nice spot on the leaderboard, but we will need to play smart and disciplined golf to extend our lead tomorrow.”
 
Avery’s 68 in the first round gives her 22 career rounds in the 60s, tied for first in program history with Sophia Popov and Kyung Kim. The junior followed her four-under-par first round with an even second round. 
 
Park enters this tournament, as it is her first collegiate tournament since she earned NCAA runner-up status at the National Championship. The sophomore did not disappoint; she posted back-to-back 70s to put her tied for second on the leaderboard. Park faced major adversity in the first round, as she battled back from two double bogies and one bogey to finish at two-under-par. 
 
Senior Christine Wang reached the top ten with a 69 in the first round and an even 72 in the second. 
 
Senior Brianna Navarrosa finished tied for ninth after posting back-to-back 71s. Freshman Bailey Shoemaker rounded out the group in her college debut with a one-under-par finish (69-74).
 
The final round is expected to start at approximately 8:00 a.m. P.T.

For more information on the USC women’s golf team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com. Fans of the Trojans can follow the team on…