HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. – The Vanderbilt women’s golf team carded 3-under 285 in the first round of the Ron Moore Intercollegiate, as the Commodores ended Round 1 in sixth place on the team leaderboard.
In a competitive first day in Colorado, Vanderbilt heads into Saturday’s second round just four strokes behind second-place California. The Dores lead the tournament in par-5 scoring at 11-under. Vandy was one of four teams to have a player collect an eagle during Round 1, as sophomore Lynn Lim shot 2-under on the par 5 Hole 18.
“We certainly didn’t have our best stuff today, especially around the greens. But I’m proud of how we hung in there and got a few back on 18,” said Vanderbilt women’s golf head coach Greg Allen. “We know there’s a lot of golf left over the weekend, and I expect our young ladies to be ready to make a move.”
Freshman Ava Merrill led the way for Vanderbilt in the tournament’s opening round. The Johns Creek, Georgia native sits in a tie for fifth place after 18 holes of play at the DU Golf Course, as she carded 3-under 69.
“I’m really pumped about the way Ava stepped up for us today,” said Allen. “She’s been playing some really steady golf since she got on campus.”
Fellow freshman Macie Brown, who is playing as an individual in Colorado, also had a strong first round. The Mt. Washington, Kentucky native carded 2-under 70 to end the day in a tie for 11th on the player leaderboard.
Senior Virginie Ding also shot under par to open the Ron Moore Intercollegiate, as she carded 1-under 71. Ding opens Round 2 in a tie for 24th. Sophomore Tillie Claggett ended Round 1 at even par 72 and goes into Saturday tied for 32nd.
The second round of the Ron Moore Intercollegiate takes place this Saturday. Vanderbilt tees off between 9:20-10 a.m. at the DU Golf Course. Fans can follow along by clicking the link here.
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