Feb. 12, 2013
PALOS VERDES, Calif. - Freshman Charlotte Thomas paved the way for the Huskies on Tuesday in the second round of the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, but the team still has a speed bump or two in their way if they are going to rise higher than their current standing of eighth on the leader board. Washington, ranked No. 1 by Golfweek entered the day next to last out of 16 teams competing at Palos Verdes Golf Club in Southern California. But, the Huskies shot 16-over-par 300 - the seventh lowest score in the field - and moved up to eighth in the standings. Washington (+41 overall) is five shots behind seventh-place Arizona and 10 back of sixth-place of Baylor, but the way scores are fluctuating can still make a move upwards in Wednesday's final round. "We obviously were a couple shots better today," Coach Mary Lou Mulflur said of her team that shot 25-over 309 during Monday's first round. "Again, it's a difficult golf course and we have struggled with putting.
"We have made some good shots into the green, but we're just not getting much in way of rewards. I know the team is disappointed in the way they have played, but it's a work in progress and we're getting there." USC is atop the leader board at 10-over 578. UCLA is second at +11, while Duke is third at +17. Thomas was one of six golfers to shoot under par during Tuesday's second round. She finished with a 70 at the par-71, 6,017-yard course and is tied for fifth at 2-over for the tournament. "She was just rock solid," Mulflur said of her well-travelled freshman. "She is just playing really, really well. I'm really happy for her. She has a chance and is within striking distance tomorrow." Thomas is among five golfers tied for fifth at +2 (144). Alejandra Cangrejo of Duke is the only golfer under par at -2 (140) overall. Three golfers are 1-over. Thomas, originally from Surrey, England, used an eagle on the par-4 12th hole (the Huskies began the round on the back nine) to jump start her round. The freshman hit one into the cup on one bounce from around 100 yards out. It was the first of five holes that she scored birdie or better on. Her five other teammates combined to record just one birdie on the day. Among Huskies, SooBin Kim is next on the leader board and is tied for 42nd. She shot 4-over 75 and is +11 for the tournament. Ying Luo is tied for 49th at +12, followed by Jennifer Yang (66th, +16) and Brittany Tallman (T83rd, +23). Sophomore Cyd Okino is competing as an individual and is tied for 69th at +18. Tomorrow's final round will commence with a shotgun start at 8:00 a.m.
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