Hogs in striking distance on first day at ‘Darius Rucker’

HILTON HEAD, S.C. — Third-ranked Arkansas is in striking distance in third place after round one of the 2018 Darius Rucker Intercollegiate in Hilton Head, South Carolina, on Friday.

The Razorbacks are just four shots off the lead after shooting a 6-over 290 at the Long Cove Club course.

Junior Maria Fassi continued her strong play and leads the Razorbacks after the first day. Fassi posted a 1-under 70 (35–35) and is tied for seventh overall.

Her round was just one of 10 rounds that were under par on the 6,265-yard, par-71 course.

Fassi played the front side 1-under with birdies on holes six and seven. She made the turn and birdied No. 10, moving to 2-under for the round. Fassi went on to bogey the next two holes and finished with two birdies and a bogey for her 70.

Junior Dylan Kim was even on the day, counting a 71 (38–33) and is tied for 10th overall. Kim turned 2-over and moved to 3-over with a bogey on No. 11.

Four Razorbacks bogeyed the 11th hole on the course. Kim rallied with three consecutive birdies on holes 13, 14 and 15 to finish even.

Senior Alana Uriell shot a 2-over 73 (36–37) and is tied for 23rd in the 93-player field.

Uriell’s scorecard was clean through the first 10 holes but she picked up bogeys on the 11th and 16th holes.

Junior Kaylee Benton (39–37) and senior Jordy LaBarbera (40–36) both shot 76 and are tied for 53rd with two rounds to play.

The Lineup

The Razorbacks moved up and down the leaderboard all day on the challenging course before finishing ahead of four of the top-10 teams in the country.

Second-ranked Alabama leads the field with a 2-over 286. No. 13 Northwestern is second shooting 287 followed by Arkansas.

The Razorbacks are one stroke up on LSU who shot 291 and No. 9 Furman and Mississippi State round out the top five teams with 292.

The Field

From Shauna Taylor

“I’m really proud of Maria and Dylan. Dylan made birdies on 13, 14 and 15 and she, Maria and Alana did a nice job. Jordy and Kaylee fought all day as well.

“The Long Cove Club is a championship golf course and it demands your attention on every shot. I love the way it prepares us and exposes us to the things we work on and practice every day.

“We are in a position to give ourselves a chance at the ultimate goal.

“This course is one that will require all five players to be present and pay attention to the details. If they do that, their strengths will shine.

“We are excited about where we are at. I love being around this team and having two more days with them to accomplish our goals.”