CORAL GABLES, Florida – The University of Iowa women’s golf team is tied for third following the first day of the Hurricane Invitational, which is being held at the Biltmore Golf Course. The Hawkeyes shot a nine-over par 585 (295-290) on the day – the team’s second and third-best rounds of the fall.
Iowa has two players in the top 11 on the individual leaderboard and all five golfers among the top 31. Sophomores Maura Peters and Ximena Benites lead the team, sitting in a tie for 11th place with two-over par 146s.
Peters had three birdies during her opening round 72 before carding a two-over par 74 in round two. During the second round, the Pleasant Valley, Iowa, native had an eagle – the first of her collegiate career — on the par five first hole and she added two more birdies during the round.
Benites had Iowa’s best round of the day and best round of her career in the second round, carding a three-under par 69. The Peru native had six birdies and nine pars en route to the team’s third round in the red this fall. The performance was even more impressive considering Benites opened the tournament with a 77 over her first 18 holes.
Benites moved from 42nd place to 11th from the morning round to the afternoon.
Junior Shannyn Vogler shaved six-strokes off her score from round one to round two to post a one-under par 71 – her best round of the fall. The Bettendorf, Iowa, native had three birdies and 13 pars in round two, moving up into a tie for 24th place.
Senior Paula Miranda and junior Riley Lewis are both tied for 31st place with 150s. Miranda opened the day with an even par 72 – her third round at or below par this fall – before following with a 78. Lewis had a 74-76 en route to her 150.
Host school Miami holds an eight-shot lead over Florida Gulf Coast after shooting a two-under par 574. Eastern Michigan’s Savannah de Bock and Miami’s Olivia Gronborg are tied atop the individual leaderboard with five-under par 139s.
Four players are under par and two more players are at even par among the 63 player field.
IOWA LEADERBOARD
T11. Maura Peters 72-74=146
T11. Ximena Benites 77-69=146
T24. Shannyn Vogler 77-71=148
T31. Riley Lewis 74-76=150
T31. Paula Miranda 72-78=150
T3. IOWA 295-290=585
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes close out the tournament Tuesday with a 7:30 a.m. (CT) shotgun start.