Low scores push Razorbacks into lead at NCAA regional

AUSTIN, Texas — Hot temperatures and strong winds fueled low scores for Arkansas as it moved into the lead after second-round action at the 2018 NCAA Austin Regional Championship on Tuesday.

Arkansas shot a 17-under 271, a program best score in regional action for the Razorbacks. Arkansas came out of the gates strongly, paced by senior Alana Uriell who turned 3-under and continued to ride the birdie train on the back nine.

Uriell had three birdies in a row on holes 9, 10 and 11 and finished with a 7-under 65, moving up 61 spots on the leaderboard. She finished the day tied for 16th overall with scores of 78–65—143.

The senior’s 7-under 65 is a program record for the Razorbacks at an NCAA Regional. The score bested Uriell’s 4-under in 206 and former Razorback Emma Lavy’s 5-under 67s in 2013.

The Razorbacks recorded 21 birdies and had two eagles, both from Maria Fassi.

Dylan Kim, Fassi and Kaylee Benton also posted under-par rounds at the University of Texas Golf Course.

Kim moved up one spot into second place overall and is in the clubhouse shooting 70–68—138 (-6). She is one shot back of the leader with one round to play.

Fassi counted her second consecutive round under par and is in third place shooting 69–70—139 (-5) while Benton carded a 4-under 68 moving up 19 spots to fourth place with a 72–68—140 (-4).

Junior Cara Gorlei rounds out the Razorback scoring with a 4-over 148 (73–75) and is tied for 39th overall.

From Alana Uriell:

My putting was the key today. I shot 78 yesterday, and I think I just let go of the expectations and pressure and played my game. When I got out of my own way, I was a lot better. I was on the putting range practicing before the round, and my putting felt really good. I could feel the ball come off the (club) face. I birdied the first two holes and that helped get me going. After my round yesterday, I was looking to even it out today. Coming up 18, I was really going for that last (birdie) putt. I’m so happy that I could contribute to our team score today. I was really disappointed yesterday that I was the last player on the team. I wanted to play the way I could, so that my team could succeed.

From Coach Shauna Taylor

I always tell our team that when you play with a purpose, you play with intensity and precision. They did a fantastic job of that today. They were all out there fighting for each other and it was great to see. Alana’s round today, what great leadership from a senior to come back like she did. Maria, Kaylee and Dylan were just solid as a rock. It was pretty tough today and they did a great job of sticking to the plan and fighting for each shot. We are in a position to do what we came here to accomplish.

Final Round

When: Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Location: Austin, Texas | University of Texas Golf Course (Par 72 | 6,341 Yards)
Live Scoring: http://bit.ly/2FUESnR
Format: This is the third and final round of stroke play. The top six teams from this regional move on to the NCAA Championship

Notes

• Top-5 Finishes: 5 (3rd-2x; 4th-1x; 5th-2x)
• Best Individual Finish: T2 (2015)
• Arkansas has six team titles including the program’s first SEC Championship this year
• Alana Uriell’s 7-under 65 is a program record for score and versus par at an NCAA Regional Championship. It ties for second in program history for low round and score versus par.
• Arkansas was just one of three teams to shoot under par finishing the day with a 17-under 271. That score is the Razorbacks’ best team score at a regional and the second-best score in program history.

The Leaderboard

The Field