WOLCOTT, Colo. – The Illinois State women's golf team concluded day one of the competitive Golfweek Challenge Monday with a team score of 307, putting it in ninth place overall at the Red Sky Golf Club. Senior Brianna Cooper led the Redbirds in the first round with four birdies, firing a 1-under-par 71 at the first day of competition and sits tied for sixth on the individual leaderboard.
Head coach Darby Sligh saw it was a tough day and knows what to do to bring the Redbirds up the leaderboard.
"It was a crazy day at Red Sky" Sligh said. "We saw severe thunderstorms, hail followed by blue skies. We battled hard through each section and minimized the shots we had been throwing away. We need to be a little sharper around the greens and avoid big numbers Tuesday. Brianna played so solidly, and it's exciting to watch her break through on such a tough track."
Freshman Abby Luchtenburg had two birdies, finishing round one with a score of 77, while sophomore Maggie Ambrose wasn't far behind carding a one-round score of 78. Rounding out the Redbird line up were seniors Hayley Guyton and Lauren English, who shot an 81 and 82 in the first round, respectively.
After day one, Pepperdine placed first with two golfers shooting 4-under-par and a team score of 284. Tennessee was a shot behind in second place with a score of 285. Campbell placed third with a team score of 290 to complete the top-three teams.
ISU will try to climb up the leaderboard in the second round of play Tuesday with a 10 a.m. start.
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