Nugent leads Arkansas in second round

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – University of Arkansas freshman Katy Nugent paced the 18th-ranked Razorback women’s golf team into 10th place after second round action at the Mason Rudolph Championship in Franklin, Tenn., Saturday. Nugent, an Andover, Kan., native, posted a career-best 73 leading Arkansas to a 299 for 597 through two rounds. Nugent opened her round even on the front nine. She bogeyed 10 and 13 but finished strong with a birdie on the 17th hole. Her round of 73 is three strokes better than her previous career-best. “She’s going to be great,” said Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor. “She played like a veteran and we needed her. We’ve been making a swing change and she really committed to it today. She made a few puts and really played well.” As a team, the Razorbacks have played well but not consistent. Friday’s round saw Arkansas open on the back nine and the Razorbacks made the turn at one-over. Saturday, Arkansas began the day on the first tee box and played even through the opening nine holes only to finish 11-over on the day. “We made the turn even but went 11-over to finish,” said Estes-Taylor. “That’s frustrating. We have to learn to finish strong if we want to be in contention. I’m pleased with the way we are opening. We just have to carry that through the entire round.” Senior Lucy Nunn and junior Kristin Ingram were solid again Saturday carding rounds of plus-three 75s on the par 72, 6,262-yard Legends Course. Sophomore Kelli Shean counted a 76 while yesterday’s leader junior Alex Schulte posted a 77. Schulte remains the Razorbacks’ two-round leader with a 146 (69-77) and is tied for 24th overall. Nunn stands tied for 31st with a 148 (73-75), followed by Nugent who is tied for 48th with a 151 (78-73) and Ingram who is tied for 58th overall with a 153 (78-75). Shean is tied for 68th with a 155 (79-76). Third-ranked UCLA leads the field with a 564 followed by No. 6 Oklahoma State and host Vanderbilt who are tied for second with 572. Top-ranked Southern California is fourth with a 573 and No. 5 Duke rounds out the top five with 579. The next five begin with No. 2 Arizona State with 580, No. 15 Florida at 588, No. 7 Alabama at 590, No. 12 Purdue with 596 and No. 18 Arkansas in the clubhouse with a 597. “It’s a tough field,” acknowledged Estes-Taylor. “We have to go out tomorrow and execute. We are really close to playing really well and that’s exciting to see.”