WEST POINT — Playing Sunday in front of the home fans for the first time, freshmen Hannah Levi and Lauren Miller led the Mississippi State women’s golf team to a share of the lead following the opening round of the Magnolia Invitational.
The rookies carded 1-under 71s at Old Waverly Golf Club to sit in a tie for third. They paced MSU to a 288 total that matched Kennesaw State for the clubhouse lead.
After an eagle at No. 15, Levi birdied the par-3 17th and the 385-yard, par-4 18th. Levi, who played the par-5s at 5-under, had one of only two eagles in the opening round, and her seven birdies paced the field.
Miller finished the front nine at even par before playing 1-under golf on the back nine.
“We were very proud of our squad today,” MSU coach Ginger Brown-Lemm said. “We have made a commitment to the process, and we saw every single player today actually practice what we have committed to, which is staying present, focusing on the task at hand and not getting ahead or behind what is happening at that moment. Great strides were taken today in the right direction, and we look for continued progress in the days and months ahead.”
Senior Katie Holt’s experience of the Bulldogs’ home course showed as she carded a 1-over-par performance to tie for 20th.
Blair Stockett is tied with Holt.
Kendall Wisenbaker ended opening-round play tied for 55th after finishing with a 78.
The Bulldogs’ second squad ended the day in ninth with a 301. Ela Grimwood and Clara Moyano led that group, tying for 27th with a 2-over 74. Aubree Jones finished with a 76 to tie for 38th, while Athena Yang and Teri Doss notched a 77 and 81, respectively.
In memory of former Iowa State golfer Celia Barquin Arozamena, the team displayed C.B.A. on their shirt sleeves and sported red and yellow ribbons on their hats.
LSU’s Kathleen Milligan leads the pack individually after a first-round 4-under 68.
The second round begins at 8 a.m. MSU will start at No. 1 at 9:40 a.m., while the second unit starts play at 9:20 a.m. on No. 10.
Starkville native Conner Beth Ball led Ole Miss with a first-round 1-under 71 as part of a 1-over 289 that has the Rebels one stroke back of the team lead.
Ball had five birdies in the first round, including a chip-in birdie on the par-5 2nd, to sit in tie for third.
“It was awesome being home,” Ball said. “Old Waverly is the place where I learned to love the game of golf, and to have people out here supporting me is just an amazing feeling.”
Reigning champion Julia Johnson shot a first round even par 72. The sophomore had four birdies.
Pi-Lillebi Hermansson matched Johnson’s even par first round. The junior had 12 pars to lead the team.
“We are proud of the way the team played today,” Ole Miss coach Kory Henkes said. “We came out of the gates strong and only made a few costly mistakes down the stretch.
“The team feels like they left some shots out there and look forward to getting revenge on the course tomorrow. At the end of the day it’s always nice to put yourself in contention after round one and continue to fight our way to the top.”
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