The Texas Tech women’s golf team will need to rally Tuesday in order to defend its Red Raider Invitational title as the Lady Raiders trail by three strokes following the first two rounds Monday at The Rawls Course.
The Lady Raiders, playing in their first tournament of the season, led the 15-team field after a 3-over 291 opening round but then fired a 9-over 297 in the afternoon session to drop just behind first-day leader New Mexico State. ,
“I was really pleased with the way we played,” Tech head coach JoJo Robertson said. “We got off to a slow start this morning. I don’t know if it was because it was the first tournament or being at home and having some nerves. They really bounced nicely and fought hard all day. Everybody contributed today which is always nice.”
Lauren Mason led the Lady Raiders through the first 36 holes as she carded a 1-under 71 in the morning and then a 2-under 70 later in the day to sit atop the individual leaderboard. Her 3-under card is two strokes better than teammate Gabby Barker as well as Central Arkansas’ Emma Svensson who are tied for second overall.
Mason started the day rather slow with two bogeys over the first five holes before rebounding with four birdies to close the opening round. She matched that total in the afternoon, capping the round with a birdie on the par-5 18th.
“Lauren played great,” Robertson said. “It’s really great to see her have those kinds of rounds. They were definitely her two best, especially back-to-back rounds that she’s had out here. She’s just consistent. It looked like the easiest round of golf for her. This will be something new for her, being on top heading into tomorrow but it’s a great experience for her.”
Barker led all players with an opening-round 70 to start the day before following with a 73 second round score. Mami Yamamoto and Emma Ballard recorded Tech’s other two countable scores with Yamamoto combining to shoot a 7-over 151 while Ballard was two strokes back at 9-over.
Yamamoto enters Tuesday’s final round in a tie for 25th while Ballard is tied for 38th overall. Tech’s lone other participant, Cara Baker, finished in a tie for 53rd with a 13-over combined score.
The Lady Raiders are three strokes ahead of Oregon for second place as the Ducks rounded out the top five along with Augusta and Central Arkansas. Augusts is seven strokes back of Tech while Central Arkansas trails the Lady Raiders by nine strokes.
Tuesday’s final round is scheduled for an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Results will be posted throughout the round at @TexasTechWGolf as well as onwww.Golfstat.com.
