Podzielinski paces Arkansas

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – University of Arkansas redshirt sophomore Emily Podzielinski carded a second round 72 counting her first collegiate eagle leading the No. 34 Razorback women’s golf team to a 301 in the second round of the 2012 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship in Franklin, Tenn., Tuesday.

Arkansas’ 301 pairs with the first round 303 for 604 and 20th place after two days of play.  The NCAA Championship continues through Friday.

Podzielinski, a Noblesville, Ind., native, finished with an even par 72 and is tied for 64th overall with a 150 (78-72).  Starting in the afternoon session from the first tee, Podzielinski made the turn three-under with two birdies, a bogey and her eagle on the ninth hole. 

“I just can’t say enough about Pods today,” said Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor.  “She really hung in there.  She committed to the game plan and executed well today and it was great to see.  I think 72 out her in her first National Championship is a really great round of golf.”

Second round conditions were tough with temperatures soaring as the afternoon wore on.  The already tricky greens firmed up and the speeds were tough to judge.  Despite solid play from Arkansas, the Razorbacks were unable to make a move against the field in the second round.

Sophomore Emily Tubert continues to lead Arkansas.  The Burbank, Calif., native counted a 74 in the second round and is tied for 32nd with 147 (73-74).

“I started with a birdie and I thought ‘oh my gosh it’s going to be a great day’ and then I followed that up with three bogeys and it was very frustrating.  I was able to turn even and had to fight really hard to get there.  My putting was all over the place today.  I wasn’t getting it started on my lines.  The key to the next two days is hit it straight and make putts.”

Sophomore Emma Lavy finished the day tied for75th overall at 152 (75-77).  The Fayetteville, Ark., native turned two over but had a bogey and a double on the back nine.

Junior Victoria Vela finished strong with a birdie on 17 and is tied for 100th overall with a 155 (77-78).  The Mansfield, Texas, native battled through some bogey trouble in the middle of the round to close on a positive note.

Freshman Hally Leadbetter rounds out the Razorback scoring.  Leadbetter is tied for 117th with a 159 (79-80).

We got off to a very fast start today but leaked a little oil coming down the stretch today,” said Estes-Taylor.  “Despite that I can’t say enough about this team.  We showed some really great moments of some really good golf but a couple little mistakes cost us today.  This group has all the tools and they have all the shots.  It’s just a matter of committing and believing in themselves and their preparation.  They are prepared and I know that with two more rounds we have an opportunity to climb.”

Second-ranked Alabama leads the field with a two-day 571 after going three under Tuesday.  Top-ranked UCLA, No. 6 North Carolina and No. 27 Virginia are tied for second with 582 followed by No. 5 Arizona State and No. 25 South Carolina tied for fifth with 583.

The rest of the top 10 includes No. 3 Southern California with 585, No. 7 LSU with 587, No. 33 Purdue with 588 and host and No. 10 Vanderbilt in 10th with 590.

The Razorbacks tee off at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday and are paired with Baylor and Michigan State.