USC
2012 NCAA Regionals
No. 3 USC Takes Early Lead At NCAA Central Regional
May 10, 2012 | Women's Golf
May 10, 2012
Click here for Ohio State's NCAA Central Regional page.
Click here for live results at Golfstat.com.
Click herefor the official NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship program.
Freshman Doris Chen, coming off of her recent Pac-12 title, maintained her momentum by leading the No. 3 USC women's golf team into first place after the first day of the 2012 NCAA Women's Golf Championships Central Regional on Thursday (May 10) at Ohio State's Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio.
USC, seeded No. 1 in the Central Regional, combined for a 10-over 298 and established a one-stroke lead over Georgia (299). Rounding out the top eight were Purdue (301), Notre Dame (304), Tennessee and Auburn (306), North Carolina State (307) and Oregon, Virginia and Vanderbilt (308).
The top eight teams from the NCAA West, Central and East Regionals plus two individuals from each field will advance to the championship round, scheduled for May 22-25 at the Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tenn., hosted by Vanderbilt.
The Trojans, who have won seven NCAA regionals, including two in a row and in five of the past six seasons, fought off strong winds and challenging greens to take an early lead.
"The course is playing tough," said USC Coach Andrea Gaston, trying to direct the Trojans to their 15th consecutive NCAA final appearance in her 16th season. "It was blowing about 15-20 mph and the greens are drying out, so they're getting even faster. Overall, we are pleased with our position. Hopefully we'll separate ourselves even more tomorrow."
Chen led USC with an even round and is tied for 4th at 72. She opened with birdies on 1 and 4 and was still 2-under before falling to par after bogeys on 8 and 11. She birdied 14 and bogeyed 15 for her par round.
Senior Lisa McCloskey, named with Chen to the recently announced All-Pac-12 first team, joined her freshman teammate in the top 10 at 1-over 73, tied for 8th. She was 1-under through 14 before two late bogeys dropped her to black.
Senior Inah Park had a solid round in the tough conditions and is tied for 19th at 3-over 75. She was even on the front 9 and 3-over on the back 9.
Sophomore Sophia Popov is tied for 42nd at 6-over 78 while sophomore Rachel Morris is tied for 56th at 7-over 79.
Action continues Friday and Saturday.
Players Mentioned
