Strong winds batter Lady'Back linksters; Arkansas in fourth after first round

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FAYETTEVILLE – The sixth-ranked University of Arkansas women’s golf team opened the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Classic with a first round 311 after whipping winds played havoc on scores Monday.

Despite the 25 mile-per-hour steady breeze and 35 mpg guests, the Lady Razorbacks are in good shape coming of the par 72, 6,344-yard University of Texas Golf Course in fourth place after the first round.

“Today was one of the hardest days I’ve ever seen on the golf course,” said Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor. “The wind got to us a bit in the middle of the round. I just told the team they had to preserve and take what the golf course would give us today.”

Arkansas senior Stacy Lewis finished the day two-over with a 74 and is tied for third place after the first round. Lewis trails leader Ornella Jouven of Florida who opened with an even par 72. New Mexico’s Alexandra Phelps is second with a73 followed by Lewis and Texas’ Julia Best with 74.

Junior Lucy Nunn was solid Monday with a five-over 77 and is tied for 11th in the 90-player field. Freshman Kelli Shean and sophomore Kristin Ingram counted 80s and are tied for 34th while sophomore Corinna Rees finished with an 85 and is tied for 75th overall.

“The wind was hard to gauge today,” said Estes-Taylor. “You can’t let your guard down for a moment because it can really cost you – especially in winds like these.”

Arkansas is in a good position despite the high scores. Twenty-second-ranked New Mexico finished the day in first place with a plus-15 303. Southeastern Conference rival and fifth-ranked Florida is second with a 17-over 308 while host No. 32 Texas is third with 308.

Arkansas, ranked sixth this week, is fourth overall at 311 with a solid lead over No. 20 Notre Dame who finished with a 317 in fifth place. Number 39 Nebraska is sixth with 319 followed by No. 42 Oklahoma, No. 45 Indiana, No. 47 Iowa State and No. 41 Missouri who are all tied for seventh with 320.

Play is scheduled to continue Tuesday and Wednesday but three inches of rain and severe storms are expected in the Austin, Texas, area and are likely to delay the start.

For more information about Arkansas women’s golf, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.

2008 Betsy Rawls Longhorn ClassicAustin, TexasPar 72, 6344 yards – University of Texas Golf Club