UF women's golf in 2nd at NCAAs

Fourth-ranked Florida opened the NCAA East Regional in impressive fashion with a 2-over 290 to sit in sole possession of second place at the University of Georgia Golf Course.

Florida opened five shots back of top-ranked Duke, which posted a 3-under 285. South Carolina is in third at 3-over 291, Furman is fourth at 4-over 292 and Louisville is fifth at 5-over 293.

“We had a tough start but we brought it back,” UF head coach Jill Briles-Hinton said. “The wind picked up, we fought hard and then ended up a 2-over par. We are all playing for each other and that is what is great about it. We are in a good position to start.”

The Gators are one of four Southeastern Conference teams in the top 10. The top eight finishers on Saturday advance to the NCAA Championships. Host Georgia, the third seed, is in ninth place at 11-over 299.

Senior Tiffany Chudy and redshirt junior Ornella Jouven guided Florida on the first day of competition with even-par 72s. Both are one of seven players in a tie for 10th place. Louisville’s Sara-Maude Juneau holds a one-shot lead on Duke’s Amanda Blumenherst, the nation’s No. 1 player, following a 5-under 67.

Freshmen Jessica Yadloczky and Hannah Yun posted 1-over rounds of 73 to sit within striking distance of the top five.

“I thought the wind came into play on hole 15 for Hannah when she took a tough number,” Briles-Hinton said. “However, she was able to recover and finish par, par birdie. I was very proud of that.”