Hawkeyes Fire 2 Sub-300 Rounds

Feb. 26, 2012

Day 1 Results

PEORIA, Ariz. — The University of Iowa women’s golf team fired its best two rounds of the season Sunday at the Westbrook Spring Invitational. The Hawkeyes fired a two-over 290 in the first round, followed by a second round 294 (+6) en route to a 584 (+8). Iowa’s previous low-round was a 297, set on Oct. 31 during the first round of the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational. The Hawkeyes enter Monday’s final round in fifth place. Big Ten foe Illinois (288-282=570, -6) sits atop the leaderboard, followed by Texas Tech (293-279=572, -4) and Washington State (288-291=579, +3). Wisconsin is hosting the 54-hole tournament at the 6,178-yard, par 72 Vistas Course at the Westbrook Village Golf Club.

UI freshman Lauren English shot three second round birdies to fire a 71 (-1), a season-low. English finished the day with a 36-hole score of 145 (74-71, +1), also a season-low. She previously set her season-low 18- and 36-hole scores at the Dick McGuire Invitational on Sept. 25-26. She enters the third round tied for 12th place.

Junior Gigi DiGrazia fired an even-par 72, a career-best, during the first round. Her previous career-best round was a 74, which she shot twice. DiGrazia finished the day in a tie for 17th at 147 (72-74, +2). DiGrazia’s 147, 36-hole score was also a career-high, besting a 151 she shot at the Jackrabbit Invitational on March 14-15, 2011.

Senior Chelsea Harris was one stroke off DiGrazia’s pace, as she carded a 147 (74-73, +3). She is tied for 19th place.

Freshman Shelby Phillips shot a 149 (73-76, +5) in her return to her home state. The Gilbert, Ariz., native enters Monday tied for 34th.

Junior Kristi Cardwell posted a one-under 71, including four birdies, during the first round. She rounded out the Iowa scorecard with a 150 (71-79=150, +6).

Freshman Nicole Rae shot a 166 (85-81, +22) in her collegiate debut. She competed as an individual.

The 12-team field returns to the Vistas Course on Monday at 9:30 a.m. (CT) for the third and final round.

Team Results
1. Illinois – 288-282=570 (-6)
2. Texas Tech – 293-279=572 (-4)
3. Washington State – 288-291=579 (+3)
4. Indiana – 287-294=581 (+5)
5. Iowa – 290-294=584 (+8)

Individual Results
T1. Gabriella Dominquez (Texas Tech) – 71-66=137 (-7)
T1. Nora Lucas (Illinois) – 70-67=137 (-7)
3. Hailey Koschmann (Illinois) – 69-69=138 (-6)
T12. Lauren English (Iowa) – 74-71=145 (+1)
T17. Gigi DiGrazia (Iowa) – 72-74=146 (+2)
T19. Chelsea Harris (Iowa) – 74-73=147 (+3)
T34. Shelby Phillips (Iowa) – 73-76=149 (+5)
T39. Kristi Cardwell (Iowa) – 71-79=150 (+6)
65. Nicole Rae (Iowa) – 85-81=166 (+22)