Women’s Golf Leads after 36-Hole Day at Windy City

WILMETTE, Ill. – Sun Devil Women’s Golf not only survived, but thrived the 36-hole marathon on day one of the Windy City Collegiate Classic.

Arizona State (+3/579) is in first place after two rounds, both of which took place on Monday at Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette. Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye‘s team put together an incredible second round effort, recording the lowest score of the day (-5/283) to move up seven spots and into first place. The Sun Devils have a five stroke lead on second place Virginia and six stroke lead on third place USC, giving them a great chance to win the 19th team championship in the Farr-Kaye era.

All five Sun Devils find themselves in the Top-25 of a 81-golfer field following the conclusion of day one. The group is led by freshman Isla McDonald-O’Brien, who continues her impressive start to her first season in Tempe. McDonald-O’Brien was steady in both rounds, following up an opening 72 (E) with a 71 (-1) to earn a tie for fifth place. She is one of only six golfers under par through 36 holes, an indication of the tough conditions of the course. Right on her heels is junior Beth Coulter, who ended in a tie for seventh place through two rounds. She improved her first round score by four strokes, delivering a 70 (-2) in the afternoon to skyrocket into the Top-10. Speaking of improvement, no one did it better than junior Paula Schulz-Hanssen. She used the short break between rounds to her advantage, shaving eight strokes off her total from the first to second which helped her move into a tie for 11th.

A big reason why Arizona State is in the lead through 36 holes is the well-rounded effort from the entire lineup. Senior Grace Summerhays‘ consistency continued, as she carded back-to-back 74s (+2) to settle into a tie for 21st. Redshirt sophomore Patience Rhodes is right behind her in a tie for 25th and looks to build off her three stroke turnaround in the afternoon.  Play was suspended in the second round due to darkness, with a few groups left to finish prior to the start of the third round. The Sun Devils will attempt to maintain their lead as the last of three rounds starts tomorrow at 5:57 AM MST.

LIVE SCORING

ROUND BREAKDOWN
Isla McDonald-O’Brien (143/-1/T5)
FIRST ROUND: 72 (E)
BIRDIES (2): Hole 2 (Par 4; 410 yards), Hole 17 (Par 3; 141 yards)
SECOND ROUND: 71 (-1)
BIRDIES (4): Hole 7 (Par 4; 349 yards), Hole 8 (Par 5; 481 yards), Hole 13 (Par 3; 165 yards), Hole 18 (Par 4; 383 yards)

Beth Coulter (144/E/T7)
FIRST ROUND: 74…