AUBURN, Ala. — Three birdies and an eagle were the only marks on Arkansas junior Maria Fassi’s scorecard as she remained in the lead after second round action at the Evans-Derby Experience in Auburn, Alabama, on Monday.
The third-ranked Razorbacks moved up one spot into the lead with one round remaining. Arkansas’ single round scores of 280 and 279 are better than any round posted by a previous winner of the event. The Razorbacks are 17-under shooting 559 and have a five-shot lead over the second-place team.
Fassi, ranked third in the Golfweek.com standings, counted her second consecutive round in the 60’s with a 5-under 67 and leads the field by six strokes with a 13-under 64–67—131. The Razorback All-American has recorded 11 birdies, one eagle and 24 par holes in a nearly perfect performance.
Close on Fassi’s heels is teammate Maria Hoyos. Playing as an individual, Hoyos is in second place with rounds of 67–70—137. Hoyos has carded 11 birdies including on two of her final three holes on Monday. Hoyos holds a one-shot lead over two other players who are tied for third overall.
Junior Kaylee Benton shaved four strokes off her round one total for a 68 that moved her up 16 spots into a tie for sixth place overall. Benton is in the clubhouse with a 4-under 72–68—140. Benton finished her second nine with three birdies and had six birdies in her round on Monday.
Senior Alana Uriell also moved up several spots after the second round. Uriell is tied for 10th shooting 72–69—141. The 12th-ranked Uriell also birdied three times in the final nine holes including on two of her final three holes on Monday.
Dylan Kim (72–78) and Cara Gorlei (75–75) round out the Razorback scores. They are tied for 46th overall with 150.
From Shauna Taylor
It was obviously a great group effort today. Kaylee (Benton) birdied her last two holes and it was another solid day by Maria (Fassi). Alana (Uriell) did a fantastic job getting a birdie late in her round and overall, the team is doing a great job of managing their games. I can’t say enough about Maria Hoyos as well. She gets smarter every time she tees it up and I’m really grateful she is being a sponge and soaking it all up. We have put ourselves in a position to accomplish our goals. We are looking forward to the opportunity to play solid golf in the last round tomorrow.
Inside The Ropes
• Arkansas was one of two teams who led the field with a 9-under 279
• The Razorbacks were one of three teams to shoot under par on Monday
• Maria Fassi has four individual wins this year
• Arkansas has four team titles this year
• Maria Fassi has led nine of her 20 rounds played this year, including two consecutive rounds at the EDE18
• Arkansas has led 10 rounds this season including today’s round at the EDE18
• Ten of the 15 members of the ANNIKA Award watch list are in the field with Maria Fassi leading them all
• Maria Fassi’s round of 67 is her eighth round in the 60s and her 15th (of 20) round under par this season
The Lineup
| PLACE | PLAYER | SCORES | TO PAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maria Fassi | 64–67—131 | -13 |
| T6 | Kaylee Benton | 72–68—140 | -4 |
| T10 | Alana Uriell | 72–69—141 | -3 |
| T46 | Dylan Kim | 72–78—150 | +6 |
| T46 | Cara Gorlei | 75–75—150 | +6 |
| 2 | Maria Hoyos (ind) | 67–70—137 | -7 |
The Field
| PLACE | TEAM | SCORES | TO PAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No. 3 Arkansas | 280–279—559 | -17 |
| 2 | No. 5 Duke | 285–279—564 | -12 |
| 3 | No. 31 Florida State | 278–292—570 | -6 |
| 4 | No. 2 Alabama | 288–284—572 | -4 |
| 5 | No. 27 Auburn | 285–290—575 | -1 |
| 6 | No. 9 South Carolina | 286–290—576 | E |
| 7 | No. 12 Florida | 292–289—581 | +5 |
| T8 | No. 26 Louisville | 295–288—583 | +7 |
| No. 22 Wake Forest | 293–290—583 | +7 | |
| 10 | No. 41 Ole Miss | 297–293—590 | +14 |
| 11 | Mississippi State | 302–302—604 | +28 |
| 12 | Michigan | 302–311—613 | +37 |
