McCurdy and Hindshaw lead Lady'Backs on moving day

Jump to results SUNRIVER, Ore. – University of Arkansas junior Amanda McCurdy fired a one-under 70 as the 18th-ranked Lady Razorbacks jumped two spots to sixth place at the 2005 NCAA Championship in Sunriver, Ore., Thursday. McCurdy, an El Dorado, Ark., native, moved into a tie for 25th overall with a 223 (71-82-70) as the Lady Razorbacks grabbed sole possession of sixth place with the third best round of the day. Arkansas counted a 293 and stands at 896 (296-307-293) overall. The Lady’Backs trail top ranked Duke who fired a six-under 278 to move into the team lead at 873. Third-ranked Auburn moved up to second overall at 881, followed by second-ranked UCLA at 885. Number four Pepperdine is in fourth place with an 885 followed by No. 24 California at 890, No. 18 Arkansas with 896, No. 8 Ohio State at 897, No. 14 Southern California at 900 and No. 5 Arizona State and No. 9 Tennessee tied for ninth with a 901. “We didn’t get out to the best start today,” said head coach Kelley Hester. “But it could have gone one of two ways and we picked it up and went in the right direction. We bared down and dug it out. It was awesome to see and to finish strong. We came here to compete and to play well and we did today.” McCurdy seemed to struggle out of the gate early with the Lady’Backs starting on the back nine. She pared the first hole and picked up one stroke on number 11. McCurdy added a couple more going to three-over on her third hole but she rebounded with birdies on 14 and 15. McCurdy let another stroke get away but got it back with her third birdie to finish at one over on the back nine. She finished the front nine two-under with birds on the final two holes. In fact, the final hole, number nine, was good to the entire team with three pars and two birdies to finish the day. McCurdy’s 70 moved her into a tie for 25th place overall with a 223 (71-82-70). Junior Lindsey Hinshaw posted her personal best at Arkansas with a 73. Hinshaw opened her day with back-to-back bogies on 10 and 11 but settled down nicely finishing at plus-two on the first nine. She played the second nine even with three bogies and three birdies to finish at two-over for the round. Redshirt freshman Stacy Lewis, who is battling a sore back, turned in a three-over 74 and is tied for 31st overall at 223. Junior Courtney Mahon is tied for 52nd overall with a 77 for a 227 (77-73-77), followed by Hinshaw who is tied for 61st with a 228. Senior Gena Johnson posted her best round of the tournament with a 76 to stand tied for 90th overall with a 233. “We were pretty close to flying in formation today,” said Hester. “I couldn’t be more proud of the effort today. It was awesome.” The Lady Razorbacks team with Pepperdine and California in the afternoon final round Friday. Adding to the excitement of the event is the fact that the Golf Channel will air portions of each round at the end of each day. Coverage begins Thursday at midnight Central with a replay beginning a 4:00 p.m., Central the following day. Friday’s coverage can be seen again at midnight with the replay beginning at 3:00 p.m., Central the following day. Final round action airs Saturday at midnight and 3:00 p.m. For more information about Arkansas golf, log on to LADYBACKS.COM.