Junkkari Sets UNC Scoring Records in Women's Golf Opener

Monday, September 13

Charleston, S.C. (Yeamans Hall G.C.)

All Day

North Carolina

Cougar Classic

September 13, 2021 | Women's Golf

Cougar Classic Rds 1 and 2

Junior Breaks 18- and 36-Hole School Records

By: Steve Kirschner

University of North Carolina junior Krista Junkkari set the school record with a 7-under-par 65 in the morning, then shot a 67 in Monday afternoon's second round at the College of Charleston's Cougar Classic.

Junkkari (pronounced YOON-car-RAY), a native of Elimäki, Finland, is in second place after 36 holes at the Yeamans Hall Golf Club in Charleston, S.C.

She began her first round on the 16^th hole and made birdies at 18, 2, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 15. Junkkari did not make a bogey in the first round, then birdied four more holes in the afternoon before finally making a bogey on the ninth hole (her 30^th hole of the day). She added two more birdies at 12 and 15 to finish the 36 holes at 12-under 132.

Junkkari's 132 is also the lowest 36-hole total in Carolina history. No Tar Heel previously ever shot 67 or lower in two rounds in the same tournament.

The Cougar Classic is Carolina's first women's golf event of the season and the first under the direction of head coach Aimee Neff and assistant Emily Loftin.

"Hats off to Krista for coming out and shooting a program record 65, in our first round of the season," says Neff. "She played very steady and was solid in all areas of her game. She consistently gave herself good looks and she made a few putts. She trains and conducts herself like a professional and works incredibly hard. This is well earned and an awesome way to begin the season."

Her previous career collegiate low round was 70 three times, including as a freshman at the Cougar Classic in 2019.

Junkkari is five shots behind Arkansas' Brooke Matthews, who shot 63-67 for a 17-under 127.

Junkkari's 65 is one shot better than the previous UNC record 66, which was accomplished by seven players (Ava Bergner and Leslie Cloots in 2017, Kelly Whaley in 2016, Allie White in 2011, Sydney Crane in 2008, Meaghan Francella in 2004 and Ashley Prange in 2000). Junkkari's second-round 67 tied the ninth-best round in UNC history.

Carolina is sixth in the 17-team field after two rounds with another 18 holes scheduled for Tuesday.

UNC shot 1-over 289 in the morning and 4-under 284 in the afternoon for a 3-under 573 total. Georgia leads at 16 under, Arkansas is second at 11 under, Florida and UCF are tied for fourth at 9 under, Baylor is fifth at 8 under and UNC is sixth. Those are the only six teams under par.

Tar Heel sophomore Natalia Aseguinolaza shot a collegiate-best 68 in the second round, making five birdies and only one bogey. Aseguinolaza is 4 over for the tournament.

Kayla Smith is 3 over par (72-75–147), Crista Izuzquiza is 6 over (76-74–150) and Aleks Golde is 7 over (76-75–151). Golde, a junior, is playing in her second collegiate tournament and tied her previous college best with the 75.