Razorbacks Wrap Up Play
ROGERS, Ark. – University of Arkansas freshman Maria Fassi posted a 2-under 69 leading the Razorback Five in round two of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G at Pinnacle Country Club Saturday.
Fassi wrapped up two rounds shooting 73-69 — 142 but her even par finish won’t be enough to make the 3-under cut to advance to Sunday’s play.
Recently graduated senior Regina Plasencia was one-shot better Saturday shooting 72-71 — 143 and Razorback rising junior Alana Uriell finished with rounds of 70-75 — 145.
Fassi, who earned the sponsor’s exemption to play in the event, posted the best Razorback round of the day with her 36-33 — 69. She opened strong with a birdie on No. 3 and added another on No. 8. A pair of bogeys on the front nine saw the Hildalgo, Mexico, native turn even for the round.
Fassi would remain even with six consecutive par holes before rallying to finish strong with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17.
Plasencia played even par golf finishing her Razorback career on a high note after earning her spot in the tournament through the Monday qualifier.
“I’ve said all week that the third time’s the charm,” Plasencia said. “I made it on my third qualifying attempt and I can’t think of a better way to wrap up my Razorback career. This was a great experience.”
Plasencia will retain her amateur status for one more event before attending the LPGA’s Qualifying School in the fall.
Uriell was the winner of Monday’s qualifying round shooting a 7-under 64. She was 3-over in her round Saturday after a triple on the second hole derailed her play. She recovered, playing the next 16 holes 1-over.
The conditions at Pinnacle Country Club were tough for all the competitors. Temperatures were in the mid-90s with little cloud cover. Saturday’s round benefited from a bit of a breeze in the early afternoon but the fast greens were hard to read and larger galleries were visually challenging for some of the players.
#PROHOGS
Former Razorback Stacy Lewis was 1-under Saturday finishing 5-under for the first two rounds to move on to Sunday’s final day of play. Lewis is tied for 36th shooting 67-70 — 137. Gabriela Lopez also moves on coming in just under the cut. Lopez fired an even par 37-34 — 71 and is in the clubhouse tied for 65th with a 139.
OTHER RAZORBACKS THIS WEEK
HARRIS, Mich. – Former Razorback Emily Tubert is tied for third place after two rounds of play at the Island Resort Championship on the Symetra Tour. This is the fifth year of the event which has a purse of $125,000.
The Burbank, California, native is one-shot off the lead, in the clubhouse at 4-under with rounds of 71-69 — 140.
Current Razorback Jordy LaBarbera is also taking part in the event – her first experience against the pros. LaBarbera is tied for 82nd shooting 74-76 — 150. The duo have one round remaining in Michigan.
NOTES
• 2016 is the 10th year of the event
• Five Razorbacks have advanced to weekend play out of the Monday qualifier
o 2008-Lucy Nunn; 2009-Kelli Shean; 2015-Samantha Marks; 2016-Alana Uriell and Regina Plasencia
• Only one player who entered through the Monday event, has made the cut to Sunday’s play
o 2009-Kelli Shean
• #ProHogs Gabriela Lopez and Emily Tubert were granted three sponsor’s exemptions during their Razorback careers
• Emma Lavy and Regina Plasencia each played in the Monday qualifier three times during their Razorback careers
