PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – The SC State women carded a second-round team total of 297 Saturday, shaving 27 strokes off its opening round of 324 for a 36-hole total of (324-297) 621 to remain in second place after 36 holes of the 54-hole PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship at the PGA Golf Club.
Coach Sandy Burris' team, which trailed leader Bethune-Cookman by 19 strokes after 18 holes, moved to within five shots of the Lady Wildcats (305-311) who were at 616 after two rounds. B-CU carded a 311 on Saturday to remain in first place.
SC State will need another outstanding round on Sunday, the final day of the 54-hole event, to overtake B-CU and Burris feels her team is capable of another strong showing.
“I'm very proud of the girls today,” said Burris following Saturday's second round. “They knew to make up a 19- stroke difference on B-CU, it would take a good round from everyone.
“The wind was very strong today (Saturday), so to be able to shot a 297 in those conditions shows the determination and focus the girls have. Tiana (Jones) had an outstanding round.
Saturday's remarkable turnaround by the Lady Bulldogs was led by Jones, who carded a second-round 4-under par 68, the best score of the tournament in taking 14 strokes off her opening round of 82. Jones was at (82-68) 150 for the tournament.
Following Jones at 155 after 36 holes were Cheryl Chua (79-76), who had a 4-over 76 on Saturday and
Cabriel Duren (81-74) after a 2-over 74, Cherie Chua who was at (82-79) 161 and Carmen Jones with a (83-87) 170.
The final round gets underway Sunday at 8 a.m.
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