Tar Heels Rise To 9th In Ruth's Chris

Saturday, October 15

Chapel Hill, N.C.

All Day

North Carolina

Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational

October 15, 2016 | Women's Golf

By: UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL – The University of North Carolina women's golf team began their climb up the leaderboard Saturday at the Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational. The Blue team shot a 3-over-par 291, rising three places into ninth. The White team shot a 24-over-par 312 and are in 17th.

“The team played better today,” head coach Jan Mann said. “They were more focused and were definitely making better swings out there. We gave up a few shots at the end but are looking forward to going low tomorrow.”

Freshman Brynn Walker continued her very strong tournament, making six birdies en route to an even-par 72. Her back-to-back strong rounds have her in 18th individually. Walker is also leading the tournament having made 11 birdies over her first two rounds. Junior Lexi Harkins shot her second straight 1-over-par 73, leaving her in 23rd. Sophomore Kelly Whaley and senior Leslie Cloots both shot 73, leaving them in 34th and 44th respectively. Finally, junior Bryana Nguyen shot a 4-over-par 76, and heads into the final round in 60^th.

For the White team, freshman Roshnee Sharma had her first collegiate eagle on the par-5 13th hole on her way to a 3-over-par 75. Freshman Mariana Ocano played the front nine in even-par as she also shot 75. Also for the rest of the White team, senior Rachel Jones shot 79, sophomore Killian Casson and junior Cheni Xu shot matching 83s.

Wake Forest continues to lead the field, but they have been caught by Alabama as both schools are a 7-under-par for the tournament. The rest of the top-five features the same teams, Ohio State is third at six-under-par, Arkansas is three-under-par and North Carolina State is one-over-par.

Jennifer Kupcho of Wake Forest extended her lead in the individual competition to three after a two-under-par 68, bringing her cumulative score to a nine-under-par 135. The individual scoring record for 54-holes at the Ruth's Chris Tar Heel invitational is an 11-under-par 205. She is followed by Lauren Stephenson of Alabama at 6-under-par, Alana Uriell of Arkansas and Nikolette Schroeder of Ohio State at 4-under-par and a six-way tie for fifth at 3-under-par.

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. Sunday morning's shotgun for the final round will begin at 9:15 a.m. The Blue team will start on holes six through nine. The White team will start on holes 15-17. Fans are encouraged to attend and parking is free.