Carolina Finishes T-12 After First Round of Tar Heel Inv.

Friday, October 14

Chapel Hill, N.C.

All Day

North Carolina

Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational

October 14, 2016 | Women's Golf

By: UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL – The University of North Carolina women's golf team hosted 18 teams and six individuals in the first round of the Ruth's Chris Invitational on Friday. Carolina's Blue Team shot a 9-over-par 297 and is tied for 12th, while Carolina's White team shot a 16-over-par 304 and is in 15th.

“I felt like the team played a little tight today,” head coach Jan Mann said. “It's always difficult hosting a tournament because you want to play well for family and friends. I think we were tighter than the we were in the tournament we played before this. I think it's important we stay focused on our routine and not the outcome. I'm so excited about this team and what it can do. Not having the best round doesn't upset me because this team is strong are a strong team and I'm confident they will make a comeback and play well tomorrow and the next day.”

Junior Lexi Harkins and freshman Brynn Walker led the Blue team with 1-over par 73s, and finished tied for 24th individually. Harkins had two birdies on the day, while Walker had a much more aggressive round featuring five birdies, tied for third at the tournament. Sophomore Kelly Whaley played the front nine 1-under on her way to a 75. Senior Leslie Cloots and junior Bryana Nguyen both shot 4-over-par 76s. The Blue team is tied for third in par five scoring, crucial at the UNC Finley Course, trailing only NC State and Michigan.

The White team was led by sophomore Killian Casson, who shot a one over par 73, playing the back nine in even par. Junior Cheni Xu played her last 16 holes in even par to shoot a 3-over-par 75. Freshman Mariana Ocano shot 76, senior Rachel Jones shot 79 and freshman Roshnee Sharma shot a 9-over-par 81.

Wake Forest leads the field, shooting a 6-under 282 tying the sixth-best round in tournament history. Ohio State had a great day as well shooting 5-under 283 and is in second play. The rest of the top five includes Alabama (3-under), Arkansas (2-under) and NC State at even par. Defending champion Duke is tied for sixth with South Carolina after a four over par 292.

Jennifer Kupcho of Wake Forest leads the individual competition after shooting a five under 67. Her 67 ties the third-best score in a single round at the Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational. She is followed by Lauren Stephenson of Alabama and Nikolette Schroeder of Ohio State at 4-under. A three-way tie for fourth rounds out the top five, featuring Ainoha Olarra of South Carolina, Jacqueline Twitty of Louisville and India Clyburn of NC State.

The Ruth's Chris Invitational is being played at UNC Finley Golf Course, which features a par 72, 6,379-yard challenge. Live stats for the tournament can be located at golfstat.com. Tee-times for Saturday's second round will begin 8:51 a.m. for the individuals and 9:09 a.m. for teams. North Carolina's Blue team will begin at 9:09 a.m. off the tenth tee and will be immediately followed by the White team beginning at 9:58 a.m. off the same tee. Fans are encouraged to attend and parking is free.