Scores fall in third round

Jump to agate COLUMBUS, Ohio – The weatherman was wrong and the 10th-ranked University of Arkansas women’s golf team was better for it in third round action at the 2006 NCAA Championship hosted by The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, Thursday. Heavy rains and thunderstorms were predicated for much of the day but as the temperatures rose and the rain held off, Arkansas began shedding rain gear and strokes. The Lady’Backs turned in a plus-10 298 in third round action moving up the leader board. “We definitely played better today,” said Hester. “Our only downfall today was that we got greedy with some tough hole locations. We were disappointed yesterday and knew we were capable of playing better today.” Arkansas’ 298 was the fourth best morning score and the Lady’Backs came off the course in 17th place with 12 teams not finished with their rounds. As the afternoon wore on, scores continued to climb and, at the end of the day, the Lady’Backs had moved into tie for 13th place as they head to Friday’s final round. Arkansas’ rounds included a 299-313-298 for 910. Senior El Dorado, Ark., native Amanda McCurdy paced the Arkansas attack Thursday with a one-over 73 on the par 72, 6,203-yard Scarlet Course at The Ohio State Club. McCurdy jumped to plus-two on the front nine but played the back nine one-under with birdies on 11 and 17 before bogeying the final hole. Senior Lindsey Hinshaw rebounded from Wednesday’s plus-11 with a plus-two 74. Hinshaw moved to three over just after the turn but an eagle on the par-four 355-yard 15th hole lowered her score. “I was about 140 yards out,” said Hinshaw, “and the pin was in the back. I didn’t want my shot to go over and it felt good when I hit it. It took a couple of bounces and I said ‘I think it went in’ to one of the girls I was playing with.” Sophomore Ashley Medders was solid all day turning at plus one where she remained until the 18th hole. The pin was placed close to the back lip of a bunker lying in front of the large green. Medders put her second shot in the sand and four-putted to finish with a 75. Sophomore Stacy Lewis finished the day with a four-over 76. Lewis was plus-three after the first nine holes but pared her next six holes and eight of the last nine on the day. Senior Courtney Mahon rounded out the Arkansas scoring. Mahon was plus-11 Wednesday but rallied for a 78 Thursday. Top-ranked Duke blistered the field in the afternoon and was four-under late in their round. The Blue Devils had dropped to even with three holes to play finishing at one under for an 876. Fifth-ranked Southern California is second with an 889 followed by No. 8 Pepperdine with 894. Third-ranked Arizona State and No.7 Purdue are tied for fourth place with 896.