SILVIS, Ill. – The Loyola University New Orleans women's golf team played the first 18 holes of the NAIA National Championship on Tuesday, which is the fifth straight appearance at the championship for the program.
The Wolf Pack was one of 15 teams to play in the morning wave of action, finishing the morning in 11th place out of those teams starting early. The afternoon wave consisted of 15 more teams to bring the total to 30 programs competing this week at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. After all teams finished, Loyola was in 14th place heading into the second round on Wednesday, scoring a 33-over, 317. Loyola is just five strokes from a Top 10 position, as 11 squads are all within 11 strokes of each other in eighth through 17th place.
Blair McKenzie and Emma Smithers lead the team in a tie for 29th, and Catherine Singletary is next in a tie for 78th. Daniella Salazar and Lainey Cristan made it all five golfers in the Top 100 out of 156, both sitting in a tie for 89th.
After two bogeys during her first three holes, McKenzie carded a birdie on the par 4, fourth. She'd finish the first nine holes 2-over, then started the back nine bogey-birdie and three consecutive pars to stay there with four holes to play. However, double bogeys on the 15th and 18th holes brought the sophomore to her 77 (+6). Smithers had a birdie on the par 3, seventh, however, two pars and a double made her 3-over at the turn. The senior moved to 6-over after the 13th hole, but five straight pars closed out her round of 77 (+6).
Singletary had an up-and-down first nine holes, as the freshman sat 8-over through eight holes. She played a much better second nine holes, though, collecting seven pars to shoot an 81 (+10). Cristan started her national championship with seven pars through her first eight holes, moving to 2-over at the turn. The back nine played a little more difficult for the sophomore, carding a 9-over to finish her first round with an 82 (+11). Daniella Salazar also had an 82 on Tuesday, shooting a 4-over score on her first nine and 7-over on her back nine.
The second round of the national championship is set for Tuesday, and the Wolf Pack will start teeing off at 12:50 p.m.
Women's Team Leaderboard
1. #1 British Columbia – Round 1: 293 (+9)
2. #3 Keiser – Round 1: 297 (+13)
3. #2 Dalton State – Round 1: 301 (+17)
3. #12 Loyola – Round 1: 317 (+33)
Women's Individual Leaderboard
T1. Makayla Tyrell (Oklahoma City) – Round 1: 71 (E)
T1. Jessica Ng (British Columbia) – Round 1: 71 (E)
T1. Hannah Ulibarri (Master's) – Round 1: 71 (E)
Loyola Women's Leaderboard
T29. Emma Smithers – Round 1: 77 (+6)
T29. Blair McKenzie – Round 1: 77 (+6)
T78. Catherine Singletary – Round 1: 81 (+10)
T89. Daniella Salazar – Round 1: 82 (+11)
T89. Lainey Cristan – Round 1: 82 (+11)
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