Michigan State women's golf 3rd in NCAA regionals after 2 rounds

ATHENS, Georgia - The Michigan State women’s golf team will enter the final round of the NCAA Athens Regional in third place following a 9-over-par 297 in Tuesday’s second round. The Spartans are 5-over-par 581 through two rounds, eight strokes back of first-place Alabama and three shots back of second-place Baylor.

“We just have to take it one shot at a time tomorrow and play to the best of our abilities,” MSU head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll said.

Junior Katie Sharp led MSU on Tuesday at the University of Georgia Golf Course with an even-par 72. Sharp is tied with classmate Sarah Burnham, who shot a 1-over-par 73 on Tuesday, for sixth place in the individual standings as both are 2-under-par 142 through two rounds.

Sharp was 1-over-par at the turn and picked up two birdies on the back nine.

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“Katie was great today; it was another very solid day of golf for her,” Slobodnik-Stoll said. “Sarah really just had two bad swings on the back nine today that cost her, so just a few things to clean up for tomorrow and she’ll be ready to go.”

Freshman Paz Marfa Sans maintained her spot in the top 15 with a 2-over-par 74 on Tuesday. Marfa Sans recorded three birdies in the second round, tying Sharp for the most by a Spartan on the day. Marfa Sans is 1-over-par 145 for the tournament and tied for 13th place.

Freshman Allyson Geer shot an 8-over-par 80 and sophomore Carolyn Markley fired a 6-over-par 78 on Tuesday. Both are tied for 64th at 10-over-par 154.

Wednesday’s final round will start at 9:12 a.m. for the Spartans.

The top six teams in the 18-team Athens Regional will advance to the national championships, May 19-24 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois. The top three individuals not on a qualifying team will also earn a bid to the NCAA Championships.

The Spartans are five shots ahead of fourth-place Clemson and seven shots ahead of Northwestern and Tennessee, who are tied for fifth place.

Jennifer Kupcho of Wake Forest continues to lead the field individually at 6-under-par 138.

- MSU Athletic Communications