Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer
Trojans Five Back After Opening Day at Troy Invitational
4/11/2011 6:59:50 PM | Golf (W)
Sophomore Sofia Bjorkman has one shot lead entering final round
FIRST DAY RESULTS | PHOTO GALLERY
The Troy University women's golf team put itself in position to contend for a tournament title on Monday in the opening two rounds of the Troy Women's Invitational at Troy Country Club.
Trojans sophomore Sofia Bjorkman holds a one-shot lead over JoAnna Smith of Western Kentucky after posting rounds of 75 and 73 on Monday on the par 72 course. All six members of the Troy squad will enter the final day of play with an opportunity to earn a top 10 finish.
“We played OK today and have a chance to win tomorrow,” Troy coach Matt Terry said. “We had some ups and downs during the two rounds, but the girls battled hard. Sofia has a chance to win her first collegiate event and I am anxious to see what happens. All this team ever asks for is a chance, and they will have that chance tomorrow.”
Western Kentucky leads the event after following an opening round score of 309 with a 306 for a 615 total. Troy is five shots back after opening with a 312 in the first round before coming back with a 308 for a 620 total score.
South Alabama is in third place, but is 15 shots behind the Trojans.
“We didn't get off to a very good start primarily, I think, because they were a little too amped up,” Terry said. “We stumbled a little out of the gate, but played better in the afternoon. We did not play our best golf of the spring, but we have an opportunity to win.”
The Hilltoppers finished the first day of play with three players among the top six in the field.
“Western Kentucky played really well today,” Terry said. “It would be nice if we can come out tomorrow and catch them pretty quick to give ourselves a chance to win the tournament.”
Bjorkman enters the final round with a chance at her first tournament win. Her best finish this year was a fourth in the season-opening Fred Marx Invitational, an event that teammate Signy Arnorsdottir won.
“Sofia kept herself in it all day,” Terry said. “She made a lot of pars and a few birdies, but she never really got herself out of position, and it was pretty windy out there. The stumbles we had were the result of being out of position a little and we were forced to make some putts on greens that are a little bumpy right now.”
Senior Annelies Anderson, who is playing as an individual in the event, posted two of her best scores of the year and is tied for fourth at 11-over par. Junior Haley Lawrence is one shot back in a tie for seventh at 12-over and Arnorsdottir is at 14-over in a tie for ninth. Senior Liz Balkcom and sophomore Sara Fennvik are both at 15-over par and are tied for 12th.
“Annelies Anderson played her best golf of the year out there today and I was pleased to see that,” Terry said. “Sara played pretty good, but stumbled on a couple of holes. She doubled her last hole of the day and I am sure she is disappointed with. Liz put up big numbers on a couple of holes and I know she will want to come out and redeem herself tomorrow.”
Lawrence had equipment issues during the first round that hampered her day.
“Haley had a couple of hiccups today,” Terry said. “Her putter broke and she had to play the last five holes of the first round by putting with her wedge. She did a pretty good job of holding her emotions down.”
Terry said the Troy players were excited to see some friendly faces at the golf course during play on Monday cheering them on, and is hopeful that more Troy fans will come out tomorrow morning for the final round.
“It was really nice to see a lot of people, club members, out to watch,” Terry said. “The girls make it interesting to watch. It would be great to have some people out there cheering them on tomorrow as they try to win this tournament.”
To have an opportunity to do that, the team will have to keep themselves in position to get realistic birdie chances.
“We have to clean up a few things,” Terry said. “We need to make a few more putts, and we can do that by putting ourselves in better position off the tee. We need to give ourselves more chances to make birdie.”
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