Mercer Sixth After Impressive First Round at Golfweek Challenge
9/25/2017 9:09:00 PM | Women's Golf
Kukkonen, Lightfritz shine individually during opening round
WOLCOTT, Colo. – The Mercer women's golf team will head into round two of the Golfweek Conference Challenge in sole possession of sixth place among 18 teams after a nine-over-par 297 effort Monday at the Red Sky Golf Club's Fazio Course.
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Mercer was powered by two impressive individual performances from Karina Kukkonen (one-under par 71) and Lauren Lightfritz (even 72), who are tied for seventh and 13th, respectively, after the tournament's first 18 holes of play.
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Mercer Scorecard
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MERCER ON THE TEAM LEADERBOARD
With its nine-over-par finish Monday, Mercer trails five teams including current leader San Diego State (+1 289), Michigan (+2 290), Pepperdine (+2 290), Denver (+4 292) and SMU (+5 293). A late push by the Bears helped them pull away from a pack of seven schools with scores varying from 10-over-par 298 to 13-over-par 301.
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MERCER ON THE INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD
Kukkonen was stellar in her Mercer debut, shooting two-under-par on the back nine after a steady one-over-par effort on No. 10-18 (Mercer started on No. 10). Kukkonen birdied No. 8 and No. 9 to end her round inside the top-10 individually.
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Lightfritz finished tied for 13th despite a sluggish start that included three consecutive bogies to open her round. However, Lightfritz was three-under-par over the final 13 holes to push within striking distance of the top-10.
Mercer will pair up with host Denver (+4) and SMU (+5) on Tuesday. The Bears will tee off from 12:45 p.m. (ET) to 1:21 p.m. (ET). Round two can be followed via live scoring using GolfStat.com.
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Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Golf, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerWGolf (Twitter), /MercerWGolf (Facebook) and @MercerWGolf (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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Mercer was powered by two impressive individual performances from Karina Kukkonen (one-under par 71) and Lauren Lightfritz (even 72), who are tied for seventh and 13th, respectively, after the tournament's first 18 holes of play.
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Mercer Scorecard
| 6. | Mercer | 297 | -- | -- | +9 | 297 |
| T-7 | Karina Kukkonen | 71 | -- | -- | -1 | 71 |
| T-13 | Lauren Lightfritz | 72 | -- | -- | E | 72 |
| T-44 | Payton Schanen | 76 | -- | -- | +4 | 76 |
| T-57 | Hannah Mae Deems | 78 | -- | -- | +6 | 78 |
| T-74 | Mary Augusta Janiga | 81 | -- | -- | +9 | 81 |
MERCER ON THE TEAM LEADERBOARD
With its nine-over-par finish Monday, Mercer trails five teams including current leader San Diego State (+1 289), Michigan (+2 290), Pepperdine (+2 290), Denver (+4 292) and SMU (+5 293). A late push by the Bears helped them pull away from a pack of seven schools with scores varying from 10-over-par 298 to 13-over-par 301.
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MERCER ON THE INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD
Kukkonen was stellar in her Mercer debut, shooting two-under-par on the back nine after a steady one-over-par effort on No. 10-18 (Mercer started on No. 10). Kukkonen birdied No. 8 and No. 9 to end her round inside the top-10 individually.
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Lightfritz finished tied for 13th despite a sluggish start that included three consecutive bogies to open her round. However, Lightfritz was three-under-par over the final 13 holes to push within striking distance of the top-10.
COACH DRINKARD'S TAKE
"Today was a good start to the fall season," said head coach Michele Drinkard. "We didn't have the best start to our rounds but battled through it and found a rhythm and brought it home."
Mercer will pair up with host Denver (+4) and SMU (+5) on Tuesday. The Bears will tee off from 12:45 p.m. (ET) to 1:21 p.m. (ET). Round two can be followed via live scoring using GolfStat.com.
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Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Golf, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerWGolf (Twitter), /MercerWGolf (Facebook) and @MercerWGolf (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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/ Women's Golf
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