Trojans Overcome Unfriendly Conditions

No. 7 USC holds two-shot lead after first round at women's championship

May 22, 2007

By Ryan Powell

Special to CSTV.com

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Swirling wind gusts could not keep the USC Trojans from grabbing the first-round lead at the 2007 NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship on the Legends Course at LPGA International.

The seventh-ranked Trojans overcame blustery conditions in the afternoon to post a 295 (+7) and secure a two-shot lead on the 24-team field after the first of four rounds on the Florida coast.

"These conditions were as difficult as they get," USC head coach Andrea Gaston said. "We told the girls before we started today that you want to welcome these kind of conditions because that separates the field."

Gaston's Trojans, who won the 2003 National Championship and captured the Central Region Championship in Ann Arbor, Mich. just over a week ago, were led by senior Veronica Felibert.

The Venezuelan native shot a 71 (-1) in her opening 18 holes and was one of only five players to shoot under par on the 6,371-yard layout.

"You want difficult conditions because that is what a 72-hole national championship is all about," Gaston added. "You want to have those conditions to play in and the best will rise."

No. 21 North Carolina and No. 31 Louisville both posted scores of 297 (+9) early in the day to share the clubhouse lead for most of round one. However, the Trojans trumped those efforts and the Cardinals and Tar Heels will enter round two in a tie for second place. No. 10 Stanford is only four shots behind its Pac-10 foes after a 299 (+11).

The top-ranked Duke Blue Devils entered the championship looking to defend back-to-back titles, but a sluggish start has the reigning champions in fifth place, five strokes off the Trojans' pace.

"I would not say that was one of our better rounds," Duke head coach Dan Brooks said after his team posted a 300 (+12) in round-one play. "But, we by no means will be affected by that. We are strong and we will continue to play hard."

In the quest for medalist honors, UC-Irvine's Selanee' Henderson equaled her season-low round of 69 (-3) to grab the top spot. Henderson and her Anteater teammates were among the first golfers off this morning and the junior from Apple Valley, Calif. was able to take advantage of softer greens.

"My putter was definitely the key because I was making everything," Henderson said. "I had to put myself in those positions though. I stayed out of trouble with my irons and woods. Overall, I think I played pretty steady and my putter was on."

Stanford's Lauren Todd and Duke's Amanda Blumenherst, the top-ranked player in the nation, both fired a 70 (-2) and share second place. Blumenherst made five birdies in her round, including a stretch of three-straight on her back nine to get her back in contention.

Todd had a much steadier round, making birdies on No. 1 and No. 18, while playing even par in between the opening and closing holes.

"It was a tidy round," Todd said. "I hit a lot of fairways. I was not in trouble off the tee at all. I got every putt to the hole and gave myself a lot of opportunities. It was just a really easy 70."

Arkansas' Stacey Lewis, one of six individuals competing in the field, joined Felibert in a tie for fourth after a 71 (-1).